scholarly journals Market Participation and Volume Sold: Empirical Evidence From Irrigated Crop Farmers in the Eastern Cape

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
L. Mdoda ◽  
A. Obi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Random Sampling ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Market Participation ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Technical Factors

The market partaking of smallholder farmers in market-oriented production has the perspective to expand profits, upsurge agricultural output and ultimately promote food security. However, the participation of smallholder’s irrigators and homestead gardeners in markets in South Africa remains low despite numerous interventions, especially since the dawn of democracy in 1994. However, up-to-date, there is not enough evidence that these attempts had been met successfully. This paper examines factors influencing smallholders’ choice to partake in markets and volume sold in the Eastern Cape Province. The study employed survey data of 150 irrigated crop farmers. A random sampling procedure was used in the study areas. The study used a Heckman regression to assess factors impelling market participation and volume sold. Results reveal that market participation and volume sold are influenced by socio-economic and technical factors. Based on the results, the needed policy change to encourage group marketing and upgrading of roads to enable smooth accessibility of output markets are highlighted.

scholarly journals Determinants of Food Security Status amongst Smallholder Farmers Utilizing Different Maize Varieties in OR Tambo District, South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 133-139
Author(s):  
Ardinesh Kambanje ◽  
Amon Taruvinga ◽  
Abbyssinia Mushunje ◽  
Charles Mutengwa ◽  
Saul Ngarava
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Maize Varieties

Maize is an important staple crop for poverty reduction and global food security in Sub Saharan Africa. Food insecurity can be combated through adoption of productivity improving technologies, which include improved maize varieties. In that endeavour, South Africa has promoted various improved maize varieties which include open pollinated varieties (OPVs), hybrids, and genetically modified (GM) varieties. Despite this, the traditional landrace varieties have also been dominating in the country. However, the household food insecurity problem in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa may signify a mis-match between maize varieties being promoted amongst smallholder farmers’ and their needs. It therefore necessitates a scrutiny of the food security status among users of different maize varieties, and the determinants of such food security. A cross sectional survey was conducted in Port St Johns, Mqanduli and Flagstaff in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Data was purposively collected from a sample of 650 smallholder farmers using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Household Food Insecurity Access Score and ordinal logistic regression model were employed to characterize, examine the household food insecurity status and the determinants, respectively. Fifty-six percent of the respondents were utilizing land race maize varieties, whilst 29% GMs, 10% combining GMs and landrace, 4% improved OPVs and 1% convectional hybrids. The average land area under maize was 1.09 hectares with average yields (t/ha) of 1.9, 0.5, 1.7 and 1.6 for GM, landrace, conventional hybrids and improved OPVs respectively. Fifty-five percent of households utilizing GM varieties and 61% of those combining maize varieties were food secure. The regression model showed that maize variety had significant influence on food security. The study found that GM maize, improved OPV, white maize and combination effects of GM maize was associated with reduction of household food insecurity. From the study, it can be put into perspective that use of white and improved maize varieties reduces household food insecurity. Therefore, to address household food insecurity, the study recommended targeting white maize varieties, especially GM white maize varieties which are highly productive and a positive influence on household food security.

scholarly journals Consumers’ Preference and Factors Influencing Offal Consumption in Amathole District Eastern Cape, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 3323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babatunde Alao ◽  
Andrew Falowo ◽  
Amanda Chulayo ◽  
Voster Muchenje
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Meat Products ◽  
Meat Consumption ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Nutritional Knowledge ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Point Of Purchase

This study was conducted to determine the consumers’ perceptions and factors influencing offal meat consumption in Amathole District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A total of 202 consumers from Amathole District were randomly sampled from three municipalities. The study revealed that consumers were more influenced by the freshness, price, and availability of the product and these factors determine the point of purchase. The most preferred purchase-point for offal meat in this study was butchery. However, sheep offal was more preferred to cattle offal. The point of purchase, however, remains a prominent factor among other factors that could influence decision making for any consumer. When it comes to offal meat, the results showed that the majority of consumers purchased more liver, intestine, and tripe, which is because they are often sold in a combo at the butchery. Furthermore, it was revealed that consumers have nutritional knowledge of the offal meat products before making their purchase but health reasons emerged as a factor that the consumers considered the least at the point of purchase.

scholarly journals Determinants of participation in highly paid markets among woolgrowers in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel O. Joseph ◽  
Michael A. Antwi ◽  
Clarietta Chagwiza
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Random Sampling ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Market Value ◽  
Income Poverty ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Rural Economic Development

Market participation is a very crucial element among smallholder farmers through its effects on income, poverty reduction and rural economic development. Woolgrowers seek to maximise profits by sourcing for avenues for higher market value for their products. The study identifies factors which determine participation of woolgrowers in high value markets. Using stratified random sampling, data was collected from 248 woolgrowers of the National Wool Growers Association (NWGA). A Logistic regression model was used to determine the factors that influence participation of woolgrowers in high value markets. The results reveals that wool growing experience (â =.033, Sig = .000), skill acquisition (â=.728, Sig=.000) and wool price have a positive (â= .071, Sig. = .000) and significant effect on woolgrowers’ participation in the highly paid markets, while gender (â =-.412, Sig=.006) has a negative and significant effect. The findings of this study would enhance future decision and policies that would improve market accessibility and competitiveness of South African woolgrowers, thereby improving their income, food security and livelihoods.

Assessment of food security among households in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebenezer Toyin Megbowon ◽  
Abbyssinia Mushunje
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Poisson Regression ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dietary Diversity Score ◽  
Household Dietary Diversity

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze food security status and its determinants among households in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is based on the General Household Survey which was conducted in 2014 where 3,033 households were sampled from the province. Specifically, this study examines the determinants of food security proxy by dietary diversity (24-hour recall) using descriptive statistics, Poisson regression. A frequency count of food groups consumed household dietary diversity score was used as the explained variable. Findings The descriptive analysis shows that, although 61.7 percent of households in the study area have a high dietary diversity score, however, food group giving micronutrients are less consumed as food groups having cereals (maize), beef, sugar and oil was mostly consumed. Results on the marginal effect of Poisson regression indicate that household head characteristics (age, gender, education, marital status, and employment status), pension receiving households and geographical location significantly influence household dietary diversity. Originality/value This study advocates for the intensification of rural development and food security programs, formal and informal education for household heads, female empowerment and dietary enlightenment for households in order to promote the consumption of diverse diets and more healthful food groups.

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