Small scale vegetable production: a case study of Port St Johns, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Abstract

The main aim of the study is to analyze the contribution of small-scale vegetable production in the livelihood of the farmers in Port St John's as well as the challenges and agronomic practices of farmers. This region is a rural area with no major industry to provide job for the people thus vegetable cultivation is the main source of food and income. Despite this, the sector is facing a lot of problems such as poor market structure for farmer's products, lack of farm loans, lack of farm input such as fertilizer and modern seed as well as the problem of pest and diseases and heavy rainfall in summer which sometime destroys cabbage and spinach. The research established that most of what was cultivated was consumed at home and only the surpluses were sold. Based on the findings, it was concluded that vegetable production is an important aspect in the life of the local population but it is being affected by numerous problems. In order to sustain this improvement, farmers need to be adequately educated; extension officers need to play a major role in the training of farmers by demonstrations and utilization of appropriate technologies. Furthermore the availability of farm inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides at affordable prices can go a long way in improving vegetable production in the study area.