Participation of smallholder farmers in the production of high-value commodities: The case of smallholder tobacco farmers in
- Authors: Mugande, Unity
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21533 , vital:48864
- Description: Participation in the production of high-value export commodities is important in increasing incomes and in enhancing smallholder farmers’ livelihoods. However, the level of their participation may be limited by several factors. Despite the limiting factors, smallholder tobacco farming has gained popularity, especially for the Zimbabwean tobacco industry. Since the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP), the tobacco industry in Zimbabwe has seen an influx of smallholder farmers who have since dominated the industry producing over half of the national total tobacco output. The participation by smallholder farmers in tobacco production can be influenced by many factors, the main being income realisation. However, for farmers to realise reasonable incomes, they should be able to produce reasonable levels of good quality tobacco otherwise their farming would be in vain. It has been shown in the literature that smallholder farmers can be constrained by several factors to produce high levels of produce and these factors may include one or more of the following; lack of capital, lack of productive assets, lack of tobacco production skills, lack of financial resources to finance productive activities properly, lack of access to land to expand production among others. Given this background, this study sought to assess the participation of smallholder farmers in tobacco production in terms of quantities and qualities produced given the differences in their productive capacities. The study utilised both primary and secondary data for analysis. Primary data were collected from individual farmers and contract firms’ representatives. The unit of analysis was the smallholder farmer. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires and a semi-structured interview guide for the contract representatives. Secondary data for the 2018 season were obtained from TIMB. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyse the data. The descriptive statistics results showed that; the majority of the tobacco farmers had low levels of education and they relied mainly on farm incomes for survival. Concerning farm assets, the results showed that; on average, farmers own at least one of the following traditional assets; plough, scotch cart, cattle, storage facility, tobacco curing barn, (athough among the farmers some had indicated that they do not own curing facilities but used hired facilities to cure tobacco). Modern assets like tractors, ox-drawn ridgers and truck motor vehicles were owned by only a few farmers. The results further showed that contracted farmers were more productive and produced better quality tobacco than independent tobacco producers. The binary regression results showed that Ox-drawn ridgers, ploughs, having had a contract before, pricing, distance to the market, age of the farmer, type of curing facility, number of extension visits, number of bales produced and access to credit were significant factors influencing farmers’ participation in contract farming. However, four of the tested factors; tractors, cattle, number of hectares utilised for tobacco farming and number of years in tobacco farming were insignificant in influencing participation in contract farming. The results from the multiple linear regression analysis showed that the number of hectares utilised, the number of bales produced, market preferred, household size, tobacco production training, tractors, and type of curing facility were significant factors influencing the quality of tobacco produce. The other four variables that were tested; farmer category, type of energy used, being a member of a peer group and the number of years in tobacco farming; had no significant effect on the quality of tobacco produced by smallholder farmers. The study recommended that farmers should try and invest in commercial assets such as tractors, modern curing facilities, irrigation systems and other modern equipment that have potential to highly boost production rather than traditional assets like ox-drawn ploughs. The study also recommended that farmers should aim at maximising quantity per hectare of tobacco planted rather than planting larger crop areas they are unable to finance properly. Finally, it is recommended that farmers should get training on tobacco grading to avoid product quality loses that come with improper grading. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
- Authors: Mugande, Unity
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21533 , vital:48864
- Description: Participation in the production of high-value export commodities is important in increasing incomes and in enhancing smallholder farmers’ livelihoods. However, the level of their participation may be limited by several factors. Despite the limiting factors, smallholder tobacco farming has gained popularity, especially for the Zimbabwean tobacco industry. Since the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP), the tobacco industry in Zimbabwe has seen an influx of smallholder farmers who have since dominated the industry producing over half of the national total tobacco output. The participation by smallholder farmers in tobacco production can be influenced by many factors, the main being income realisation. However, for farmers to realise reasonable incomes, they should be able to produce reasonable levels of good quality tobacco otherwise their farming would be in vain. It has been shown in the literature that smallholder farmers can be constrained by several factors to produce high levels of produce and these factors may include one or more of the following; lack of capital, lack of productive assets, lack of tobacco production skills, lack of financial resources to finance productive activities properly, lack of access to land to expand production among others. Given this background, this study sought to assess the participation of smallholder farmers in tobacco production in terms of quantities and qualities produced given the differences in their productive capacities. The study utilised both primary and secondary data for analysis. Primary data were collected from individual farmers and contract firms’ representatives. The unit of analysis was the smallholder farmer. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires and a semi-structured interview guide for the contract representatives. Secondary data for the 2018 season were obtained from TIMB. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyse the data. The descriptive statistics results showed that; the majority of the tobacco farmers had low levels of education and they relied mainly on farm incomes for survival. Concerning farm assets, the results showed that; on average, farmers own at least one of the following traditional assets; plough, scotch cart, cattle, storage facility, tobacco curing barn, (athough among the farmers some had indicated that they do not own curing facilities but used hired facilities to cure tobacco). Modern assets like tractors, ox-drawn ridgers and truck motor vehicles were owned by only a few farmers. The results further showed that contracted farmers were more productive and produced better quality tobacco than independent tobacco producers. The binary regression results showed that Ox-drawn ridgers, ploughs, having had a contract before, pricing, distance to the market, age of the farmer, type of curing facility, number of extension visits, number of bales produced and access to credit were significant factors influencing farmers’ participation in contract farming. However, four of the tested factors; tractors, cattle, number of hectares utilised for tobacco farming and number of years in tobacco farming were insignificant in influencing participation in contract farming. The results from the multiple linear regression analysis showed that the number of hectares utilised, the number of bales produced, market preferred, household size, tobacco production training, tractors, and type of curing facility were significant factors influencing the quality of tobacco produce. The other four variables that were tested; farmer category, type of energy used, being a member of a peer group and the number of years in tobacco farming; had no significant effect on the quality of tobacco produced by smallholder farmers. The study recommended that farmers should try and invest in commercial assets such as tractors, modern curing facilities, irrigation systems and other modern equipment that have potential to highly boost production rather than traditional assets like ox-drawn ploughs. The study also recommended that farmers should aim at maximising quantity per hectare of tobacco planted rather than planting larger crop areas they are unable to finance properly. Finally, it is recommended that farmers should get training on tobacco grading to avoid product quality loses that come with improper grading. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-09
Profitability and technical efficiency of small-scale organic crop farmers’ in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Eyinade, Gabriel A https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8851-7255
- Authors: Eyinade, Gabriel A https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8851-7255
- Date: 2019-08
- Subjects: Organic farming , Farms, Small
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23633 , vital:58229
- Description: Organic farming is growing gradually in South Africa. Its contribution to economic growth and poverty mitigation is notably in the pastoral areas in terms of providing adequate and affordable food for the incessantly growing population. Organic farming is also known for provision of employment and source of livelihoods for the rural populace as well as supply of raw materials to the country’s agro-allied industrial sector. For the purposes of this research, focus was only on profitability and technical efficiency because it is an essential subject in developing agriculture where resources are limited, but high population growth is very common. As a result, increased output will rely more on efficiency enhancements which will further intensify farmers’ income. As such, evaluating the extent for such efficiency enhancements within the system is a crucial prerequisite. The objective of the study was to assess the profitability and technical efficiency; and to identify socio-economic, institutional and farm characteristics that influence profitability and the technical efficiency of the small-scale organic crop farmers in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). A purposive sampling technique was used to collect primary data from 160 small-scale organic crop farmers in BCMM. The gross margin estimation was used to estimate profitability, while multivariate Ordinary Least Square (OLS) was used to assess socio-demographic factors influencing profitability. The stochastic frontier model was used to determine the level of technical efficiency as well as the determinants of technical inefficiency of the farmers. The results of the gross margin estimation show that the small-scale organic maize (GM= R392 417.00) and cabbage (R196 489.00) farms were profitable. Similarly, the results of the OLS showed that one out of the eight variables namely, farming experience influences organic maize producers’ profitability, while factors such as gender, household size, and educational level emerged as the major significant factors influencing organic cabbage producers’ profitability. The stochastic results revealed that small-scale organic crop farmers in the study area are technically efficient at 86percent in maize production and 93percent in cabbage production respectively; and experienced unity return to scale (1.0) in maize and increasing return to scale (1.2) in cabbage. The results suggested that an increase in the use of input, would also intensify their productivity and efficiency. The results from the inefficiecncy model of the stochastic frontier further show that age and farming experience are the major determinants of organic maize producers’ technical inefficiency, while, factors such as age, years of schooling, farming experience, and household size were the significant determinants of organic cabbage producers’ technical inefficiency. To enhance the farming potential of these farmers, it is recommended that government and other several stakeholders such as researchers, entrepreneurs should invest more in organic crop farms since it is profitable and efficient in improving farmers’ livelihoods. There is also need for government to organise on-going workshops and extension training through the help of extension officers on how farmers can improve their production which will further enhance their income. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019-08
- Authors: Eyinade, Gabriel A https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8851-7255
- Date: 2019-08
- Subjects: Organic farming , Farms, Small
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23633 , vital:58229
- Description: Organic farming is growing gradually in South Africa. Its contribution to economic growth and poverty mitigation is notably in the pastoral areas in terms of providing adequate and affordable food for the incessantly growing population. Organic farming is also known for provision of employment and source of livelihoods for the rural populace as well as supply of raw materials to the country’s agro-allied industrial sector. For the purposes of this research, focus was only on profitability and technical efficiency because it is an essential subject in developing agriculture where resources are limited, but high population growth is very common. As a result, increased output will rely more on efficiency enhancements which will further intensify farmers’ income. As such, evaluating the extent for such efficiency enhancements within the system is a crucial prerequisite. The objective of the study was to assess the profitability and technical efficiency; and to identify socio-economic, institutional and farm characteristics that influence profitability and the technical efficiency of the small-scale organic crop farmers in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). A purposive sampling technique was used to collect primary data from 160 small-scale organic crop farmers in BCMM. The gross margin estimation was used to estimate profitability, while multivariate Ordinary Least Square (OLS) was used to assess socio-demographic factors influencing profitability. The stochastic frontier model was used to determine the level of technical efficiency as well as the determinants of technical inefficiency of the farmers. The results of the gross margin estimation show that the small-scale organic maize (GM= R392 417.00) and cabbage (R196 489.00) farms were profitable. Similarly, the results of the OLS showed that one out of the eight variables namely, farming experience influences organic maize producers’ profitability, while factors such as gender, household size, and educational level emerged as the major significant factors influencing organic cabbage producers’ profitability. The stochastic results revealed that small-scale organic crop farmers in the study area are technically efficient at 86percent in maize production and 93percent in cabbage production respectively; and experienced unity return to scale (1.0) in maize and increasing return to scale (1.2) in cabbage. The results suggested that an increase in the use of input, would also intensify their productivity and efficiency. The results from the inefficiecncy model of the stochastic frontier further show that age and farming experience are the major determinants of organic maize producers’ technical inefficiency, while, factors such as age, years of schooling, farming experience, and household size were the significant determinants of organic cabbage producers’ technical inefficiency. To enhance the farming potential of these farmers, it is recommended that government and other several stakeholders such as researchers, entrepreneurs should invest more in organic crop farms since it is profitable and efficient in improving farmers’ livelihoods. There is also need for government to organise on-going workshops and extension training through the help of extension officers on how farmers can improve their production which will further enhance their income. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019-08
Forest resources income, poverty and income inequality: evidence from rural households in South-western Nigeria.
- Authors: Azeez, Fatai Abiola
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Poverty--Nigeria http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2010107919 , Rural poor--Nigeria , Income distribution--Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19454 , vital:43119
- Description: This thesis explores economic contributions of forest resources in relation to rural households’ welfare and inequality as well as forest resources management. The thesis consists of an introductory chapter, study locations, literature review on major concepts of the study and findings on different forest extraction activities impacts on rural households livelihood in South-western region Nigeria, which make up the rest of the thesis chapters. , Thesis (PhD) (Agric Econs) -- University of Fort Hare, 2017
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Azeez, Fatai Abiola
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Poverty--Nigeria http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2010107919 , Rural poor--Nigeria , Income distribution--Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19454 , vital:43119
- Description: This thesis explores economic contributions of forest resources in relation to rural households’ welfare and inequality as well as forest resources management. The thesis consists of an introductory chapter, study locations, literature review on major concepts of the study and findings on different forest extraction activities impacts on rural households livelihood in South-western region Nigeria, which make up the rest of the thesis chapters. , Thesis (PhD) (Agric Econs) -- University of Fort Hare, 2017
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An assessment of public support given to land reform commonage farmers by local and provincial government and their perfomance: A case study of Makana Local Municipality in Eastern Cape
- Authors: Gqweta, N V P
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa , Land use
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23991 , vital:62238
- Description: Access to land is very important for previously disadvantage people from the countries where agriculture is one of the main sources for employment in order to improve their livelihoods. Worldwide, Land Reform arose mainly because of inequalities of resources. In South Africa the Land Reform started in as early as 1658 where blacks were not afforded equal opportunities as white people and therefore off farm land and properties. When South Africa’s first democratic government came into power in 1994, one of its goals was to redress the injustice of the past and give back land to the previously disadvantaged people through various land reform programmes. One of the components of the land reform programme was the provision of commonages lands to urban municipalities for use by the urban poor. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform acquired commonages land for the municipalities for the purpose of agricultural production. The study focused on the Municipal Commonage Programme and this has been done by assessing the public support given to land reform commonage farmers by local and provincial government and their performance in Makana Local Municipality in Eastern Cape. The study showed that land reform commonage emerging farmers are confronted by numerous challenges such as poor infrastructure, access to markets, mentorship, credit, transport by beneficiaries, lack of support from government departments and lack of co-ordination between government departments. These and other challenges ultimately hamper beneficiaries from making effective use of land. The study was done on eight commonages in Makana Municipality. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. Data collection entailed questionnaire, interviews and focus group discussions. In view of the challenges for commonage farmers, this study provides recommendation for improving the commonage land reform redistribution projects. Current management attempts are not ensuring the efficient equitable and sustainable use of these commonages. Municipal Commonage should be better integrated into agrarian reform through leases and an efficient Commonage Farmers Support Programmes. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2016
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Gqweta, N V P
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa , Land use
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23991 , vital:62238
- Description: Access to land is very important for previously disadvantage people from the countries where agriculture is one of the main sources for employment in order to improve their livelihoods. Worldwide, Land Reform arose mainly because of inequalities of resources. In South Africa the Land Reform started in as early as 1658 where blacks were not afforded equal opportunities as white people and therefore off farm land and properties. When South Africa’s first democratic government came into power in 1994, one of its goals was to redress the injustice of the past and give back land to the previously disadvantaged people through various land reform programmes. One of the components of the land reform programme was the provision of commonages lands to urban municipalities for use by the urban poor. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform acquired commonages land for the municipalities for the purpose of agricultural production. The study focused on the Municipal Commonage Programme and this has been done by assessing the public support given to land reform commonage farmers by local and provincial government and their performance in Makana Local Municipality in Eastern Cape. The study showed that land reform commonage emerging farmers are confronted by numerous challenges such as poor infrastructure, access to markets, mentorship, credit, transport by beneficiaries, lack of support from government departments and lack of co-ordination between government departments. These and other challenges ultimately hamper beneficiaries from making effective use of land. The study was done on eight commonages in Makana Municipality. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. Data collection entailed questionnaire, interviews and focus group discussions. In view of the challenges for commonage farmers, this study provides recommendation for improving the commonage land reform redistribution projects. Current management attempts are not ensuring the efficient equitable and sustainable use of these commonages. Municipal Commonage should be better integrated into agrarian reform through leases and an efficient Commonage Farmers Support Programmes. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2016
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Market potential and profitability of improved maize open pollinated varieties in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Sibanda, Melusi
- Date: 2012-04
- Subjects: Hybrid corn , Crops -- Effect of stress on
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24598 , vital:63211
- Description: Maize is one of the most important crops grown by smallholder farmers in Amatole and O.R. Tambo Districts of the Eastern Cape. For this study, there were 13 maize varieties that were evaluated extensively by on-farm trials in selected areas under dry land and irrigated conditions. Nine were newly introduced and improved Open Pollinated Varieties (OPVs), while four were locally grown varieties. Among the locally grown varieties, one was a hybrid-check, while the remaining three were improved OPVs. The objectives of this study were: to investigate the potential marketability of newly introduced maize OPVs, identify factors influencing farmers‟ demand of improved maize OPVs and assess their profitability when compared with hybrids. One hundred and thirty seven sample households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages), gross margins and regression analyses. Data for computing gross margins was taken from the on-farm trials. Results showed that the actual production of improved maize OPVs constituted 0percent in Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme (ZIS) and 20percent of the farmers in the O.R. Tambo District. At Silwindlala Women‟s Project (SWP), the improved maize OPV (Sahara) was grown. The majority of the farmers in the study areas were growing competitor varieties (hybrids and/or in conjunction with landraces). Results show that, there is potential market for improved maize OPVs in the Eastern Cape. The majority of the farmers, 87percent and 92percent in Amatole (SWP and ZIS) and O.R. Tambo Districts respectively, indicated that they were willing to adopt the newly introduced maize OPVs. Results showed that the hybrid PAN 6479 variety in general performed better than improved maize OPVs whereas in some areas, the improved maize OPVs had better gross margins and gross profit margins than the hybrid variety. The indicated genotypes did not show specific adaptation to selected environments. The demand model that employed a multiple regression model was used and data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) computer software. Results of the multiple regression model showed that household socio-economic factors (extension contact, access to credit, availability of household income, proportion of land area under cultivation, proportion of land area under (hybrids and landrace) and perceptions on seed color) and an input market factor (availability of the improved maize OPV seeds on the local shops) were the most important factors influencing farmers' decisions to demanding the improved maize OPVs. Extension contact, access to credit, level of household income and proportion of land area under cultivation, positively influenced the demand for the improved maize OPVs whereas the unavailability of the improved maize OPV seeds on the local shops, proportion of land area under hybrids and landraces and perceptions on seed color negatively influenced the demand for the improved maize OPVs. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-04
- Authors: Sibanda, Melusi
- Date: 2012-04
- Subjects: Hybrid corn , Crops -- Effect of stress on
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24598 , vital:63211
- Description: Maize is one of the most important crops grown by smallholder farmers in Amatole and O.R. Tambo Districts of the Eastern Cape. For this study, there were 13 maize varieties that were evaluated extensively by on-farm trials in selected areas under dry land and irrigated conditions. Nine were newly introduced and improved Open Pollinated Varieties (OPVs), while four were locally grown varieties. Among the locally grown varieties, one was a hybrid-check, while the remaining three were improved OPVs. The objectives of this study were: to investigate the potential marketability of newly introduced maize OPVs, identify factors influencing farmers‟ demand of improved maize OPVs and assess their profitability when compared with hybrids. One hundred and thirty seven sample households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages), gross margins and regression analyses. Data for computing gross margins was taken from the on-farm trials. Results showed that the actual production of improved maize OPVs constituted 0percent in Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme (ZIS) and 20percent of the farmers in the O.R. Tambo District. At Silwindlala Women‟s Project (SWP), the improved maize OPV (Sahara) was grown. The majority of the farmers in the study areas were growing competitor varieties (hybrids and/or in conjunction with landraces). Results show that, there is potential market for improved maize OPVs in the Eastern Cape. The majority of the farmers, 87percent and 92percent in Amatole (SWP and ZIS) and O.R. Tambo Districts respectively, indicated that they were willing to adopt the newly introduced maize OPVs. Results showed that the hybrid PAN 6479 variety in general performed better than improved maize OPVs whereas in some areas, the improved maize OPVs had better gross margins and gross profit margins than the hybrid variety. The indicated genotypes did not show specific adaptation to selected environments. The demand model that employed a multiple regression model was used and data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) computer software. Results of the multiple regression model showed that household socio-economic factors (extension contact, access to credit, availability of household income, proportion of land area under cultivation, proportion of land area under (hybrids and landrace) and perceptions on seed color) and an input market factor (availability of the improved maize OPV seeds on the local shops) were the most important factors influencing farmers' decisions to demanding the improved maize OPVs. Extension contact, access to credit, level of household income and proportion of land area under cultivation, positively influenced the demand for the improved maize OPVs whereas the unavailability of the improved maize OPV seeds on the local shops, proportion of land area under hybrids and landraces and perceptions on seed color negatively influenced the demand for the improved maize OPVs. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-04
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