Chapter 5 - An assessment of smallholder farmers’ status in Umzinyathi and Harry Gwala districts of Kwazulu Natal Province, South Africa

Abstract

This chapter elucidates on the state, as well as the concerns of smallholder farmers’ with reference to their socio-economic, support and production statuses in the Umzinyathi and Harry Gwala Districts, Kwazulu Natal Province of South Africa. Kwazulu Natal Province is typified with good and reliable rainfall distribution together with its fertile soils making its agricultural sector extremely productive and is known for its specular capabilities across the forms and types of farming activities practised. The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) conducted an assessment in collaboration with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR), which aimed at identifying the smallholder farmers’ statuses. A total of (89) horticultural projects with 1882 beneficiaries participated in the study and were from the following four local municipalities: Umsinga, Greater Kokstad, Umzimkhulu, Ingwe and Ubuhlebezwe. Quantitative and qualitative research designs were employed as copies of structured questionnaire written in English and developed in such a way to elicit information for the study. The study included group discussions, stakeholders’ discussion, as well as field observations. Purposive sampling technique was used in selecting eighty-nine (89) smallholder farmers for the study, in order to cover the uniformity and homogenous characteristics ranging from infrastructural requirements, skills availability, production challenges, agricultural training needs, among other factors. Data was coded, captured, and analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive and inferential statistics (correlations analysis results) showed a significant association among the following variables: Size of land, type of market and extension services. Results also indicated that natural resources such as land and water are the prerequisite for a smallholder farmer to engage in agricultural production. This will enable smallholder farmers to plant different crop types, and also identifying market opportunities. The study recommends that organizations that oversee the improvement of socio-economic conditions, policy, food security and rural development should employ the use of results as a guide for their planning and decision making for improved smallholder farmers’ livelihoods.