Small-scale Farming and Access to Market: Challenges and Opportunities in South Africa

Confidence Ndlovu; Mandla Masuku

doi:10.37899/journal-la-sociale.v2i5.491

Confidence Ndlovu University of Mpumalanga
Mfundo Mandla Masuku University of Mpumalanga

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37899/journal-la-sociale.v2i5.491

Keywords: Food security, Market, Small Scale Farming, Rural Areas

Abstract

The paper has aimed to explore the effectiveness of small-scale farmers in improving household income and food security, particularly looking at the barriers to market access in rural areas. This study was undertaken in rural areas of Kanyamazane, Clau-Clau and Nyongane, South Africa, where small-scale producers depend on low-risk and low-return markets to generate household income from production, thus ensuring food security. To achieve the aim of this study, a qualitative approach was used to provide in-depth interpretation of the perspectives, experiences, and behavioural patterns of the small-scale farmers faced with market related issues. Small-scale farmers, agricultural extension officers, and municipal officials were purposefully selected to share their views, perceptions, and experiences on the effectiveness in accessing markets. The findings revealed that there was limited access to formal markets by small-scale farmers because of limited knowledge and capacity to meet market requirements. The study confirmed that a lack of marketing skills, institutional support services, and limited access to arable land, have directly negative effects on achieving livelihood outcomes. This study recommends a sustainable crop production method which reduces the costs of farming resources, such as pesticide and fertilizer, through organic methods to ensure food safety and enhanced nutrient quality. This study further encourages inclusive rural development, where small-scale producers are treated as stakeholders in agricultural policy formulation to enable access to financial resources and increase in production through the formation of cooperatives.

Author Biographies

Confidence Ndlovu, University of Mpumalanga

Confidence Ndlovu is an Associate Lecturer in the school of Development Studies at University of Mpumalanga. She holds a master’s degree and currently preparing for her Phd Studies. She is an emerging researcher who has published one paper in an accredited journal from her masters thesis titled: The Effectiveness of agricultural Cooperatives Towards Enhancing Food Security in Rural Areas of Kanyamazane, Clau-clau and Nyongane.

Mfundo Mandla Masuku, University of Mpumalanga

Dr Mandla Mfundo Masuku is a Senior lecturer in the school of Development Studies at University of Mpumalanga. He is supervising at Masters and PhD level from different universities and has been actively involved in curriculum development. He is very passionate about research, and he has published a number of papers in accredited journals on his area of expertise which include food security, Local Economic Development, governance and scholarship of teaching and learning. He has presented papers in both local and international conferences. He has worked with different government institutions including department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. He has been appointment by different local and international journals as the reviewer and external examiner for different universitiesHe is currently editing scholarly books.

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