1,720,986 research outputs found
The assessment of the role of social assets in building climate change adaptation : implications for household food security and livelihoods
Full text linkRural livelihoods are diverse and dynamic, often aimed at managing risk, reducing vulnerability and enhancing food security. In South Africa, rural households pursue different livelihood strategies based on available capital. Household asset endowment consists of physical capital (land, equipment, cattle, etc.), human capital (years of schooling and work experience) and social capital (membership of associations). A household combines these capitals to engage in productive activities. However, climate change remains a threat worldwide. Hence, the household engages in several activities and strategies to earn a living. Climate change affects natural capitals, such as water and land, on which certain livelihoods depend directly. South Africa is predominantly vulnerable to climate change because of its high dependence on climate-sensitive economic sectors: agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and mining. Agriculture is a core sector that ensures food security and provides households with food, employment and other components of livelihood. Smallholder farmers are highly affected by climate change. Thus, adaptation and coping strategies are essential for building resilience. This study seeks to assess the role of social capital, in climate change adaptation of smallholder farmers in Appelsbosch, to improve their food security and livelihoods.
The study was conducted in Appelsbosch, under uMshwathi local municipality in Kwa-Zulu Natal province. Random sampling was used to select a sample of 135 active and long-term smallholder farmers. The participants were interviewed using questionnaires and through focus group discussions. The key informant interviews were held with group representatives and extension officers to gather the in-depth of social capital structure among the farmers and its uses to cope and adaptation strategies against climate change. A Chi-square test was used to analyse the relationships between social capital dimensions, adaptation and coping strategies against climate change. More relationships were tested between social capital and coping strategies used by smallholder farmers to cope with food insecurity. The chi-square test indicated that the relationship between the social group and food insecurity coping strategies employed by the farmer were statistically significant at the 5 % level. Furthermore, the Chi-square test revealed a significant relationship between the social capital and the strategies employed by the household, such as avoiding & limiting soil erosion and water harvesting strategies. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship at the 5% level between the social capital, crop choice and planting schedules.
The study revealed that in Appelsbosch, social capital acts as a conduit for financial transfers and provides information about new skills. An effective system facilitates cooperation among farmers and the sharing of the costs and benefits of adaptation. Effective information dissemination is important. However, participation in these social groups is challenged by factors such as finances, lack of trust and poor leadership among farmers. The results showed that there are more respondents that are highly engaged in farmers’ groups only, compared to those engaged in farmer’s groups and burial societies or grocery stokvels simultaneously. Many explained that this behaviour is a result of members’ dependence on social grants or farm harvests, as their livelihood strategy. Thus, the insufficient monthly income restricts their participation in other kinds of social groups. Therefore, they focus on farming, to sustain their livelihood and food security.National Research Foundatio
Land and market access among urban farmers in Sobantu and Mpophomeni : implications on household food security.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, PietermaritzburgLand access is a crucial requirement for crop production among smallholder farmers, as limited access is a challenge that often prevents them from producing sufficient yields to participate in
lucrative markets. For emerging smallholder farmers, there is limited space when it comes to accessing agricultural opportunities in South Africa. This means that when it comes to supporting structures, fewer systems support these farmers, causing them to be unable to take advantage of various opportunities that the South African government has been instituting. The first objective examined the factors influencing farmers’ access to land and the associated challenges. The study’s second objective looked at the impact of land and market access on the household food security of urban farmers in Sobantu and Mpophomeni. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing purposive sampling to select urban farmers in Sobantu and Mpophomeni. Questionnaires, focus group discussions and photography were used for data collection. Descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression model were used to analyse the first objective. Binary logistic regression helps identify factors affecting land access and the associated challenges. The second objective employed descriptive analysis, PESTEL analysis for focus group discussions and Tobit regression analysis in conjunction with the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) to evaluate urban farmers' food security in Sobantu and Mpophomeni. The study revealed that limited access to land and markets significantly impacts urban farmers' food security, as insufficient land results in inadequate crop yields needed for a consistent supply to lucrative markets. Additionally, factors such as education, total household income, household size, and marital and land access significantly influence food security status. Urban farmers experience challenges due to limited funding opportunities, preventing them from producing high value crops necessary for accessing formal markets. The study suggests that the key stakeholders, such as policy makers
and private sectors such as NGOs, need to invest in platforms and programmes that will provide education to the farmers through workshops, training and seminars so that farmers are aware of alternative and additional planting methods, market information and gain knowledge on the impact of farmers group on their livelihoods. The alternative methods that the study recommends are rooftop farming, container gardening, vertical farming, and hydroponics farming
Assessment of communal land rights for smallholder farmers access to markets in South Africa : implications on gender.
Full text linkMaster of Agriculture in Food Security. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2017.Most African countries have embarked on improving agriculture, food security and reducing hunger through the support and involvement of smallholder farmers in the food production. Smallholder farmers have been key custodians of most African nations food and nutrition security, yet they are challenged by several factors including lack of access to land, access to credit and access to formal markets. Women smallholder farmers are the most affected due to the patrilineal nature of communal land allocation in most rural societies. Smallholder agriculture can provide a route out of poverty only if it is productive, commercially oriented and well linked to formal markets. Women have over the years relied on land based activities for their livelihoods and survival and food security however, they have always been marginalised in the allocation, control and command over land as a property. Several studies indicate that women perform most of the agricultural activities mainly for their households’ food security and may produce a meagre surplus for sale in the informal markets. Market access for rural smallholder farmers has been actively promoted to catalyse sustainable rural livelihood development. However, without addressing the land access and gender specific issues that rural smallholder women farmers face in accessing markets, most initiatives aimed at improving smallholder farmer livelihoods and their food security may fail to achieve their sole purpose. Culturally stipulated roles of women’s in the household and in smallholder agriculture have adverse effects on household food security due to the resultant workload burden and reduced market participation by smallholder farmers. Smallholder women farmers have to travel long distances with their meagre produce to access markets.
This study assessed the relationship between gender and communal land access and how they collectively impact smallholder farmers’ access to markets. The specific objectives of the study were to determine relationships between gender and communal land access, to identify the factors affecting smallholder farmers to access agriculture markets and to determine how land access enhances smallholder farmers’ access to markets. A purposive sample of 135 households was selected in Appelsbosch, KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. The mixed methods approach of research made up of structured questionnaires, together with focus group discussions and observation was employed. Qualitative data from the focus group discussions and open-ended questions was analysed for common themes using content analysis. The data was then subjected to descriptive statistical analysis using SPSS. Statistically significant differences were observed between gender and access to land, access of land and the owner of the land (p<0.05). The results further indicated that women land rights were mostly secondary and land access was closely linked to the existence of a relationship with male relatives, largely through marital ties. The study concluded that smallholder farmers faced numerous challenges in terms of accessing land and markets. From these results, the study recommends more equitable measures for secure land rights for women farmers as individuals based on need, improvement in extension services and creation of stable markets and market access support for smallholder farmers to ensure sustainable livelihoods and food security
Exploring the role of women in subsistence and smallholder farming : implications for horticultural crop value chain development in Swayimane and Sweetwaters.
Full text linkM. Agric. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2014.This study is aimed at exploring and analysing the role of women in vegetable production value chain, related constraints encountered and exploring possible solutions thereof. The influence of gender in the value chain is explored given the known production role women play in subsistence and smallholder agriculture in order to understand the role of gender in production and marketing activities in the two chosen study areas: Swayimane and Sweetwaters. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative methods to data collection. Survey questionnaires and focus group discussions were used for collecting data on the role played by women in subsistence and smallholder vegetable farming, the value chain, the nature and type of constraints faced and applicable solutions.
Results from the survey questionnaire and focus group discussions indicated that women in both study areas play an important role in providing food for their families compared to their male counterparts but are faced with various gender based constraints such as access to assets crucial for production. They lack access to land, water, credit, infrastructure, strong extension service and other institutional support. Access to and provision of seeds, fertilizer and irrigation systems for increased production was another area identified as a constraint. However, in Swayimane, an indication on the involvement of both men and women was evident from the focus group discussion results.
As indicated in the survey questionnaire results, various laws, both common and customary laws shaped the gendered differences associated with men’s and women’s roles in food production and access to assets, however, customary laws and practices were predominant in both the study areas. From both Swayimane and Sweetwaters, customary laws also influenced access to and ‘ownership’ of land. Land was either ‘owned’ and accessed more by men whilst women had access to or ‘ownership’ following certain parameters.
Evident from focus group discussions and survey questionnaire results, participation in the market was gender driven. In Swayimane, more men participated in the market compared to women. However, in Sweetwaters participation from both parties was reported. With women found in the market, their role was to observe or sell and hand the money over to their husbands. Furthermore, with more men participating in marketing, results from the survey questionnaire indicated that ensuring household food security was difficult considering that men would use most of the money for their personal needs. In an attempt to address the constraints faced by women in subsistence and smallholder farming and thus improved access to markets, it is crucial that policy initiatives take into account gender inequality, its influence and the basis of these thereof. This implies that policy measures be directed at ensuring that men and women have equal access to production assets, more particularly land. However, achieving such, further requires scrutiny of the statutory and customary laws influencing gendered access to these assets and thus ensuring that these laws are gender sensitive. Furthermore, improving equal access to and participation in markets by both men and women implies that policy and programme planning focus on eliminating gender inequality and markets based constraints including high transaction costs, unequal access to proper infrastructure and transportation affecting women in particular. Policy initiatives should however be directed at ensuring that women have access to reduced transaction costs, proper infrastructure and transportation systems
The role of subsistance farming cooperatives in improving rural household food security : the case of Mwendo sector, Ruhango district/ Rwanda.
Full text linkM. Agric University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2013.Agricultural cooperatives play an important role in rural Rwanda is as the country is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa and the majority of population relies on subsistence smallholder farming. Agricultural cooperatives have been regarded as a way of promoting smallholders, particularly subsistence farmers, where collective operations can increase agricultural production for a household. But although research indicates many factors affecting cooperative development and agriculture productivity these factors are not the same in every country. This study investigated the role of agricultural cooperatives in improving household food security and factors contributing to the success of smallholder agricultural cooperatives. It is expected that isolation of benefits of agricultural cooperative members in food security and the factors influencing production may assist government and other institution dealing with food security in plans and decisions to support smallholder farmers.
The study randomly selected three registered rural agricultural cooperatives in Mwendo Sector growing pineapples, peas and maize. The research sample size of 150 cooperative members’ and 20 non-cooperative members was used to explore the agriculture cooperative in Rwanda, factors influencing production in agricultural cooperative and benefits of belonging or not belonging in a cooperative in Rwanda. Data were collected through questionnaires. In order to complement the quantitative data and results of the study, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were also used to appraise these research questions. A cross-cutting conceptual framework for measuring effectiveness of agricultural cooperatives was elaborated using literature review and it was used for comparative analysis as effectiveness of the assessed cooperatives.
The results revealed that cooperatives possess the same organizational structure, only differences are found in internal organization. The study further found that the factors influencing productivity of agricultural cooperative are equipment used in agriculture, training received by cooperative members, cooperative organization, government assistance and extension officer services, inputs used in production, marital status of members, age and level of education of cooperative members. From the findings it was found that cooperative members benefit from cooperative income, government assistance and skills from cooperative training in agriculture. Other benefits found are increase of production and market of cooperative produces through cooperation and promotion of culture and unity in the locality through various social and religious activities within cooperative members. Research recommends the government and its stakeholders to sensitize so that every smallholder should belong to the cooperative for the sake of helping them in groups. Government should facilitate cooperatives use of improved equipment and inputs through offering intensive trainings on financial management, agriculture and animal husbandry which augment production. Government also should ensure affordable bank credit rate to cooperative farmers, provide improved seeds to the farmers and avoid delay of delivery. On the other side, cooperative members should be determined, investing in cooperative and dealing with challenges in order to be self-reliance as a way of fighting against food insecurity
Women empowerment in agriculture : agency and institutions for improved market access and household food security in Limpopo Province.
Full text linkDoctor of Philosophy in Agriculture (Food security)Developing the smallholder agricultural sector has been proposed as a way of developing rural communities. These assertions are partly based on the results of the Asian Green Revolution. Women’s contribution to agricultural development as workers and farmers is acknowledged, but, what is questioned is the extent to which agriculture will result in their empowerment. Local institutions and social norms have largely resulted in women owning and controlling very few productive assets and this is thought to contribute to their disempowerment. It is argued that unless women are empowered through transformed institutions, they may be further disempowered by any interventions to uplift smallholder farmers.
Empowering women is considered an essential part of sustainable development and agriculture offers the right platform, since it employs almost half of the rural women in the developing world. Although they are the backbone of smallholder agriculture, female smallholder farmers do not always fully benefit from their work, particularly financially. Their limited access to productive resources and their exclusion from formal markets restricts their capacity to contribute more to agriculture and household food security. Women’s contribution to decision-making has long been used as a proxy measurement for empowerment. For empowerment to take place women must have access to resources and the agency required to transform their resources into livelihoods outcomes. In spite of their aspirations to increase production and access markets, prevailing institutional and social norms may limit female smallholder farmers from achieving their goals. Transformed agricultural, social and market institutions and secure access to productive resources are important to improve women’s productivity and raise the numbers of women participating in formal markets.
This study was grounded in the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework and people-centred approaches to development. Research was conducted in three purposively selected irrigation schemes in Limpopo Province, to assess the current institutions and their effect on smallholder market access, to determine the level of empowerment in the study area and the determinants of market access and finally to measure the effect of women empowerment on household food security. A mixed methods approach was used in the study and data was collected in August and December 2013, using questionnaires from purposively selected
respondents, observations and focus group discussions. The December survey was conducted using an adapted Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) questionnaire. The quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package Social Sciences (SPSS) for descriptive statistics and to generate the 5DE index, farmer GPI and modified WEAI. The qualitative data was analysed using content analysis.
The results show that, firstly, the current institutions restrict farmers to subsistence farming as there are few capacity building initiatives in the communities. Secondly, just over half of the respondents were empowered and were at par with their male colleagues. The women’s adequacy in the access to credit and leisure satisfaction indicators contributed least to women’s empowerment. Finally, the study showed that the households were predominantly food secure, although there was a relationship between women empowerment and food security.
In conclusion, the importance of institutions in defining the opportunity structure and as enablers of agency is demonstrated by the prevalence of predominantly subsistence-oriented agriculture in the study. Empowerment is a complex process that requires a combination of personal attributes and an environment which is enabling. It is recommended that the government departments and non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) working in the community work to address women’s secondary access to resources, capacity building needs of extension officers and smallholder farmers and to integrate the different training activities currently available to smallholder farmers
Factors influencing the level of vegetable value chain participation and implications on smallholder farming and food security in Swayimane, KwaZulu-Natal.
Full text linkMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.In less developed countries, smallholder farming is important for development that could alleviate
poverty, improve livelihoods, and contribute to household food security. However, Smallholder
farming in South Africa is synonymous with a myriad of challenges. Key among them being access
to markets. Most of the smallholder farmers in South Africa lack access to established commercial
markets because of a lack of or limited access to information, assets, and institutions that can
support smallholder farmers to produce for formal markets. This study aimed to introduce and test
the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) model for vegetable value
chain development in Swayimane, KwaZulu-Natal. The SHEP model was used to psychologically
empower smallholder vegetable farmers to practice market-orientated agriculture while also
acknowledging “Farming as a business”. The study aimed at identifying the existing food value
chains in the study area along with the different linkages between value chain actors. The study
further identified and explored the factors that influence the participation level in the vegetable
value chain and implications on smallholder farming in Swayimane. Furthermore, the study
explored the impact of participating in agricultural value chains on household food insecurity.
Business linkages between farmers and market actors were identified through the practical
implementation of the SHEP. The research approach was both community-based participatory and
translational research because it involved training of smallholder farmers. The research adopted a
mixed-methods methodology where both qualitative and quantitative approaches to collect data
were used. The data was collected from a purposive sample of smallholder farmers using a survey
questionnaire, baseline surveys, and a semi-structured focus group discussion questionnaire. The
data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, value chain mapping, the nehurdle model, and an
instrumental variable Poisson model. The value chain map showed that the coordination among
value chain actors is strongly influenced by opportunities and constraints such as a lack of access
to credit, lack of access to agricultural inputs, water in-security, infertile soils, lack of storage
facilities, packaging, poor infrastructure, lack of market information, and price fluctuations Results
from the nehurdle model showed that the age of the respondent, marital status, farm income,
household size, cooperative, market information, radio, extension officer, and formal education
significantly influenced the participation decisions of smallholder farmers in agricultural value
chains. The results further showed that off-farm income, marital status, cooperatives, access to
credit, access to irrigation scheme, radio, extension officer, contact with non-government
organizations, and formal education significantly influenced the level of value chain participation
of the smallholder farmers. The results from the instrumental variable Poisson model showed that
Value chain participation, marital status, age of the household head, formal education, farm
income, lease rent on land, access to NGOs, access to credit, access to agricultural agency, access
to extension services and access to irrigation schemes were significant in influencing household
food insecurity status of smallholder farmers. It can be concluded that the level of endowment in
the physical, financial, and human resources influence participation in agricultural value chains.
The farmer’s level of success and improved outcomes are influenced by access to markets. It is
recommended that a market-led approach to farmer development be adopted to improve the
commercial prospects of farmers while also enhancing food security. Policy should consider
empowerment for market access through effective market- based farmer training and the creation
of market and business linkages. This study also concluded that value chain participation had a
positive impact on enhancing food security among smallholder farmers. The factors that influence
the level of value chain participation among men and women farmers respectively in the study area
were identified. Therefore, policymakers must take into consideration and understand the influence
that these factors have before drawing policies for value chain development. Furthermore, the
SHEP influenced the behavior of the farmers to focus on planting crops that were demanded by
the market and to keep records while practice farming as a business
Exploring farming systems and the role of agroecology in improving food security, productivity and market access for smallholder farmers.
Full text linkMaster of Agriculture in Food Security. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2016.Most smallholder farming areas in developing countries including South Africa are inhabited by resource constrained farmers, many of whom lack appropriate technologies. The farmers have largely had little education and up to 80% of those involved in agriculture are women. Smallholder farmers in these areas engage in farming activities oriented at subsistence and/or selling of surplus as a survival strategy. Most farms in South Africa where smallholder farmers reside are found in poorly developed areas in former homeland areas presided over by traditional authorities. These areas are characterized by less productive soils and poor and erratic rainfall. These farmers face many challenges including water shortages and lack of irrigation. The land is exposed to increased land degradation, and often they lack finances and cannot afford basic inputs and implements for farming. As a result of these challenges, farmers’ food security is affected. This study examined the smallholder crop production systems in these areas and explored the potential role of agroecology as a strategy to enhance their food security and markets access. Exploring farming systems which smallholder employs is important for providing a useful framework within which to examine agricultural development strategies and interventions impacting smallholder farmers in South Africa.
The research was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal, Swayimane area under uMshwathi Local Municipality which is located within the uMgungundlovu District Municipal area (29°25’S; 30°34’E). A sample of 80 smallholder farmers was purposively selected for the study. About 300 farmers in Swayimane practiced agroecology, 26% of those were interviewed for the study. The aimed to establish whether smallholder farmers applied agroecological principles or conventional farming. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Focus group discussions were also conducted to generate detailed information on which farming system was incorporated in their farms and whether agroecological principles can enhance productivity on their farms.
The sample consisted of 64% women and 36% men. In terms of age, most participants 36.3% fell between the ages of 46-60. Also most of the farmers attended secondary school 63.7%. The results show that different types of farming systems were practiced in the area. Smallholder farmers were practicing conventional farming, organic farming with conventional farming and agroecological principles in farming. The farming systems practiced were mostly affected by shortages of water. Farmers were forced to diversify their crops to those which are drought resistant which affected their profits as there was no established market for such crops. In addition, their food security was affected as there was less diversity of crops produced as a result of the water shortages. In employing these production systems, findings revealed that smallholder farmers considered yields, economic benefits, social and environmental factors when evaluating different farming systems to use in their farms. Hence farmers diversified their farming system by cultivating drought tolerant crops.
In terms of agroecology, farmers were aware that agroecology is not a relatively new concept in South Africa as these methods were also applied by their forefathers. However as much as farmers were aware and also applied agroecological concepts and principles to their farming practices, many still used industrial fertilizers in a large part of their farms and a few farmers used organic farming. Farmers acknowledged that some agroecological principles including organic farming were very helpful as they are environmentally friendly. Despite benefits of practising agroecological methods of farming, farmers were still somewhat reluctant to converting from using conventional to agroecological methods of farming because of the perceived difficulties associated with practicing some of the methods of agroecology. The most commonly mentioned disadvantages included low yields from producing food using organic fertilizers and lower profits made from selling such produce because the yields were much less compared to those produced conventionally.
With regards to market access farmers argued that markets demand consistency and quality. Hence farmers were not selling food produced organically because of low yields and the longer time it takes to mature. Accessing markets also comes with lots of institutional and social challenges which farmers find it hard to deal with and resorted to selling in informal markets. However, such produce was regarded by farmers as being healthy and methods of producing were less harmful to the environment, hence some farmers allocated smaller land portions to produce organic food products for household consumption.
Results also showed that training farmers in terms of using agroecology was important as those who have attended training were applying some of the methods in their farms. However, the trainings given to farmers did not yield the expected outcomes as farmers were still somewhat reluctant to changing their methods of farming. Hence as part of the recommendations for training smallholder farmers should be on practical on-farm training and should involve practical work. This type of on farm training could be more beneficial than sitting and listening in the training room. The training given should involve relevant stakeholder in the community including the Department of Agriculture. For the future, the research be expanded to include two study sites for comparison purposes, perhaps another province to see whether the results would be similar so that one can then give a reliable recommendations as to what really is the suitable farming methods for small farmers to employ
The effect of digital technology in agriculture on market access and household food security among smallholder vegetable farmers in Ntfonjeni and Sidvokodvo communities of Eswatini.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Many industries, big and small, including agriculture, are being affected by the 4th industrial
revolution. The inclusion and adaptation of digital technology in agriculture can advance market
participation and improve food security of smallholder farmers in developing countries. In
Eswatini, rural households primarily participate in farming as a means of improving their
livelihoods. However, there is still a research gap on the scope on the impact of digital technology
in agriculture on market access and household food security among smallholder vegetable farmers
in Eswatini. This study sought to assess the role of digital technology in agriculture among
smallholder farmers in accessing markets and household food security in Eswatini. The study was
conducted at Ntfonjeni and Sidvokodvo community in Eswatini. A mixed method approach was
employed in the study. Purposive sampling was used to select a sample of 100 active long-term
smallholder vegetable farmer. They were interviewed face to face using a questionnaire. Moreover,
two extension officers were interviewed as key informants to understand their perception regarding
the awareness and adoption of smallholder vegetable farmers on using digital technology when
accessing markets. The data was analysed using SPSS version 28. Descriptives statistics revealed
that there were more male famers (56%) compared to female farmers (44%), cabbage was the most
grown vegetable. Moreover, results indicated that a normal phone (23.58%) was the most owned
digital tool among farmers and phone calls were the common means used by farmers when
advertising. Most farmers sold their produce at farm gate and the most common market were the
local community members. Farmers received most of their market information from other
agricultural cooperative members and through extension officers through phone calls. In addition,
majority of, the farmers (36.7%) indicated that that they did not receive training on digital
marketing. Mobile money was the most used digital platform for money transaction among
smallholder farmers. Furthermore, most farmers received their farm credit from micro finance
institutions, particularly Fincorp. Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HHFIAS) score
revealed that 24% farmers were food secure, 39% farmers were moderately food insecure, 31%
farmers were mildly food insecure and 6% were severely food insecure. It was concluded that the
use digital technology on market access had less impact on household food security. The policy
makers and supporting organizations should develop programmes aimed to empowering social
capital and human capital assets of the farmers through designing a ‘Siswati’ digital marketing
platform. Campaigns that promote using of the digital platforms should create an awareness
amongst vegetable farmers. Moreover, vegetable farmers should be educated on the benefits and
operation of digital technology platforms used for marketing and its benefits. Extension officers
must ensure that vegetable farmers are not only trained on growing marketable vegetables but also
understand the benefits of consuming a more diverse diet to improve their food insecurity status.
KEYWORDS: Digital technology, market access, smallholder farmer, food security
Land use security within the current land property rights in rural South Africa : how women's land based food security efforts are affected.
Full text linkThesis (M.Sc.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.Rural women‘s land rights in South Africa remain secondary in spite of laws founded on a
constitution that promotes gender equality. Patriarchal customary laws prevail and women‘s
land rights and use security are inextricably linked to their relationships with their male
relatives. Rural women are key producers of agricultural products due to historical and
continued male outward migration, which has led to a feminisation of agriculture. Although
women farm the land, their land use security is poor and can be further threatened by divorce
or widowhood. Given that most vulnerable women are based in rural communal South Africa,
how can their land rights be secured under the customary law framework? While the statutory
law framework seems to provide a solution, it is less applicable in rural areas where
customary law and traditional practices prevail. If statutory law cannot be superimposed on
the existing customary law framework, how can women‘s land use be further secured to
support their household food security efforts? What kind of framework can be introduced to
strengthen women‘s land use security? A study was conducted in rural Limpopo Province to
explore this complex and yet important question. A mixed methods approach comprising
interview style questionnaires with a mixture of closed and open-ended questions, coupled
with focus group discussions and observation was employed. Qualitative data from the focus
group discussions and open-ended questions was analysed for common themes using content
analysis. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS to establish descriptive data, frequencies
and establish the relationships between variables. Results of the analyses were used for
building blocks to develop a land rights framework that is more gender sensitive and secures
the rights of the actual land users. Women‘s land rights were largely confirmed to be
secondary and land use security was linked to the continued relationship to male relatives
through marriage and natural blood lines. From these findings, a gender sensitive framework
that enables and improves land-based food security efforts has been proposed
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