Impact of agricultural developmental programmes on smallholder farmers of bronkhorstspruit region in Tshwane metropolitan municipality, Gauteng province

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess and document the impact of agricultural developmental support programmes on smallholder farmers focusing on the city of Tshwane, Bronkhorstspruit area. A sample size of 30 farming units was chosen using a purposive sampling technique. Primary data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires during focus group meetings and on-farm visits. Quantitative data were sorted, coded, edited and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The findings indicated that 63% of smallholder male farmers benefitted on developmental programmes and the majority of farmers who benefitted were above the age of 41. The study revealed that jobs created in the study area increased by 30% due to programme interventions. However, access to proper farm infrastructure, formal markets, and finances have remained challenges even after the intervention. In conclusion, it was generally found that agricultural development programmes improved the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and the community in general in the study area. The study recommends that support should focus on commodity and production capacity that can sustain farming enterprises and generate income.

Assessment of extension services on capacity building of smallholder livestock farmers in Midvaal local municipality, Gauteng province

“…That was an indication that more work was still needed to capacitate smallholder livestock farmers with the infrastructure development and access to formal markets in the Midvaal area. These results confirm the finding of Chepape and Maoba (2020), that most smallholder farmers still don't have access to marketing and business development opportunities. Furthermore, according to Chepape and Maoba (2020), that was a demonstration of the failure of government programmes to close existing gaps to accommodate smallholder farmers into the marketing opportunities.…”

“…These results confirm the finding of Chepape and Maoba (2020), that most smallholder farmers still don't have access to marketing and business development opportunities. Furthermore, according to Chepape and Maoba (2020), that was a demonstration of the failure of government programmes to close existing gaps to accommodate smallholder farmers into the marketing opportunities. However, the cause of some extension services' being less effective may be attributed to the availability of the budget, the capacity of agricultural advisors, lack of collaboration among stakeholders, stringent requirements by financial institutions, and the quality of the products, amongst others.…”

“…2, 2022: 173-187 10.17159/2413-3221/2022 to production inputs (M = 3.0, SD = ±1.37) were effective extension services in the study area and 64 % of the participants had access to them. Although, farmers had access to production inputs (57%) in the current study, but they were only 7% less compared to farmers in the Bronkhorstspruit area (Chepape and Maoba 2020). The findings of this study agreed with Maoba (2016a), who reported that study groups, farmers' day, and farm visits were effective extension methods.…”

“…They are underprivileged, less educated, and have underdeveloped infrastructure (Thamaga-Chitja and Morojele, 2014). They are also known for having poor production management skills, a lack of adoption of modern technologies, not being market orientated (Tselaesele et al, 2018), limited access to proper farm infrastructure, insufficient access to production inputs, inadequate access to formal markets, and no access to finance (Chepape and Maoba 2020). As a result, the sustainability and profitability of their enterprises will be compromised.…”

“…What makes matters worse is, according to Zantsi and Bester (2019), the agricultural extension service in South Africa has not yet achieved its mandate of transferring skills and technology, knowledge and solving problems of smallholder farmers to develop them. However, Chepape and Maoba (2020) found that smallholder farmers have access to S. Afr. J. Agric.…”