An Assessment of Smallholder Farmer’s Status in the Capricorn District in Limpopo Province, South Africa

P Maponya

doi:10.1007/s43615-021-00049-6

Abstract

This paper points the state of smallholder farmers in terms of the socio-economic, support and yielding statuses in the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the status of smallholder farmer in terms of agricultural production. The study used a representative sample consisting of 50 smallholder farmers, with 546 beneficiaries participating in the research. Four local municipalities were visited, namely, Polokwane, Molemole, Lepelle–Nkumpi and Blouberg. Quantitative and qualitative plan was used as a detailed questionnaire written in English. Focus group discussion, a stakeholder’s discussion and field observations were used. A purposive sampling technique was used to select fifty smallholder farmers, and data was coded, captured and analysed with a software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20). Descriptive and correlations analysis results showed a significant association among the following variables: crops planted, size of land, source of water, type of market and land acquisition. The results also indicated that natural resources like land and water are the prerequisite for a smallholder farmer to engage in agricultural production. This will enable smallholder farmers to plant different crops and to identify market opportunities. It is recommended that organisations that oversee the improvement of socio-economic conditions, policy, food security and rural development should use the results of this study as a guide for their planning and decision-making for improved smallholder farmers’ livelihoods.

Highlights

According to [1, 7], agriculture is a necessary sector of the economy of many expanding countries, as it significantly contributes to gross domestic product
The results indicated that natural resources like land and water are the prerequisite for a smallholder farmer to engage in agricultural production
It is recommended that organisations that oversee the improvement of socio-economic conditions, policy, food security and rural development should use the results of this study as a guide for their planning and decision-making for improved smallholder farmers’ livelihoods

Summary

Introduction

According to [1, 7], agriculture is a necessary sector of the economy of many expanding countries, as it significantly contributes to gross domestic product. Based on the research conducted by [16], the rural landscape of South Africa is typified by high levels of poverty, with approximately 70% of the country’s poor residing in rural areas with underutilised and limited natural resources. The Departments of Agriculture and Land Affairs and the Land and Agrarian Reform Project (LARP) jointly proposed, among other things, the prioritisation of the revival of agricultural production by 10 to 15% in former homelands, where valuable fertile land lies fallow This plan is complemented by the objectives of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), which is mandated to ensure reliable leadership in economic growth, job creation, food security and rural development

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion