Unlocking markets to smallholders - lessons from South Africa (original) (raw)

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

Journal La Sociale, 2021

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 mar...

Assessment of agricultural contacts for market access in South Africa a smallholders' perspective

2011

1. Objectives: This project intends to contribute to the on-going debate about whether and how restructured agri-food markets can provide viable market opportunities for small-scale farmers in Africa. It aims at analyzing contract farming from the smallholder perspective and at better understanding the implications for small-scale farmers regarding contractual arrangements, contractual choices and forms with processing and/or marketing firms. It also aims at assessing contract farming potential for poverty alleviation and at highlighting the conditions facilitating the integration of small-scale farmers in restructured markets. 2. Methodology: Studies conducted in South Africa will analyze farming systems and the livelihoods of farmers under contracting schemes. This entails the analysis of different types of contractual agreements linking small-scale farmers with processing and/or marketing firms leading to their integration into restructured markets. In addition it requires the ex...

Support for smallholder farmers in South Africa: Challenges of scale and strategy

Development Southern Africa, 2012

The South African Government aims to expand the smallholder sector as part of its broader job creation strategy. However, research shows that government attempts to support smallholder farmers have generally been costly and ineffective. Using secondary data and case study evidence, this study investigated the problems of supporting this sector. One finding is that while budgetary allocations to the sector have increased impressively over the last decade and a half, the distribution and use of these resources are such that few ...