Factors Influencing Production and Market Participation among Smallholder Tomato Growers in Makhuduthamaga Municipality, Greater Sekhukhune District of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Puseletso Perpetua Kalauba; Abenet Belete; Mmapatla Precious Senyolo

doi:10.53098/wir032022/05

Authors

Puseletso Perpetua Kalauba Puseletso Perpetua Kalauba, Department of Agricultural Economics and Animal Production, University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus, P. Bag X1106 Sovenga 0727, Polokwane, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6358-9439
Abenet Belete Prof. Abenet Belete, Department of Agricultural Economics and Animal Production, University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus, P. Bag X1106 Sovenga 0727, Polokwane, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3417-0708
Mmapatla Precious Senyolo Prof. Mmapatla Precious Senyolo, Department of Agricultural Economics and Animal Production, University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus, P. Bag X1106 Sovenga 0727, Polokwane, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7761-142X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53098/wir032022/05

Keywords:

tomato growers, market participation, production, Logistic Regression Model, Multiple Linear Regression Model

Abstract

Agriculture plays a significant role in the economic sector in Limpopo province in terms of its contribution to the economy, and the number of employment opportunities it produces within local communities. The majority of people involved in agricultural practices are emerging farmers and smallholder/small scale farmers. The aim of the study was to determine and profile factors influencing production and market participation among smallholder tomato growers in Madibong and Manganeng Villages, Makhuduthamaga Municipality in Greater Sekhukhune District, South Africa. A purposive sampling technique integrated with a random sampling technique were used to collect primary data from 100 smallholder tomato farmers using structured questionnaires. The Multiple Linear Regression and the Logistic Regression models were used to analyse the socio-economic factors that influence tomato production and market participation among smallholder tomato farmers in the study area. The results of the study revealed that extension access, fertiliser application, marital status, income from production and use of agricultural equipment positively influence tomato production. While, the educational level, gender of the farmer, farming experience, marital status and farm size positively influence market participation, market distance negatively influences market participation among smallholder tomato farmers. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that there should be a comprehensive producer support programme that focuses primarily on subsidising smallholder farmers when purchasing production inputs.

References

Abeykoon M.N.D.F., Weerahewa J., Silva G.L.L.P. (2013). Determinants of market participation by indigenous poultry farmers: A case study in Anuradhapura District in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research, 24 (4), 347–361. https://doi.org/10.4038/tar.v24i4.8020.

Al-Shadiadeh A.N., Al-Mohammady F.M., Abu-Zahrah T.R. (2012). Factors influencing adoption of protected tomato farming practices among farmers in Jordan Valley. World Applied Sciences Journal, 17 (5), 572–578.

Altarawneh M., Altahat E., Al-Sharafat A. (2012). Evaluation of vegetables farmers participation in agricultural extension activities. American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, 7 (2), 201–206. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajabssp.2012.201.206.

Ani D.P., Umeh J.C., Weye E.A. (2013). Profitability and economic efficiency of groundnut production in Benue State, Nigeria. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 13 (4). https://doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.59.10975.

Anyiro C.O., Oriaku B.N. (2011). Access and investment of formal micro credit by smallholder farmers in Abia State, Nigeria: A case study of Absu Micro Finance Bank, Uturu. Journal of Agricultural Sciences – Sri Lanka, 6 (2), 69–76. https://doi.org/10.4038/jas.v6i2.3861.

Baloyi J.K. (2010). An Analysis of Constraints Facing Smallholder Farmers in the Agribusiness Value Chain: A Case Study of Farmers in the Limpopo Province. Master’s Thesis. Pretoria: University of Pretoria. District Rural Development Plan (2016). Sekhukhune District Municipality Rural Development Plan. Pretoria, South Africa.

Ekong E.W. (2000). Group and Non-Group Women Farmers Access to Agricultural Production, Responses in Akwa Ibom State. Ph.D. Thesis. Ibadan: University of Ibadan.

Hlomendlini P.H. (2015). Key Factors Influencing Smallholder Market Participation in the Former Homelands of South Africa: A Case Study of the Eastern Cape. Master’s Thesis. Cape Town: Stellenbosch University.

Hlongwane J.J., Ledwaba L.J., Belete A. (2014). Analysing factors affecting market participation of maize farmers: A case study of smallholder farmers in greater Giyani Local Municipality of the Mopani District, Limpopo Province. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 9 (10), 895–899. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR12.1896.

Jha R., Nagarajan H.K., Prasanna S. (2005). Land fragmentation and its implications for productivity: Evidence from Southern India. ASARC Working Paper 2005-01. The Australian National University. Australia South Asia Research Centre.

Lefophane M.H. (2012). Comparative Analysis of Technical Efficiency Levels of Emerging Maize and Green Beans Farmers with and without Access to Formal Agricultural Credit Along Food Value Chains in Maruleng Municipality, Limpopo Province of South Africa. Master’s Thesis. Turfloop: University of Limpopo.

Machethe C.L. (2004). Can Agriculture Reduce Poverty? Agriculture and Poverty in South Africa. Master’s Thesis. Pretoria: University of Pretoria.

Machethe T.A. (2016). Economic and Marketing Analysis of Smallholder Broiler Production in Mopani District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Master’s Thesis. Turfloop: University of Limpopo.

Makhura M.T. (2001). Overcoming Transaction Costs Barriers to Market Participation of Smallholder Farmers in the Northern Province of South Africa. Ph.D. Thesis. Pretoria: University of Pretoria.

Mango N., Makate C., Francesconi N., Jager M., Lundy M. (2018). Determinants of market participation and marketing channels in smallholder groundnut farming: A case of Mudzi District, Zimbabwe. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 10 (3), 311–321. https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2018.1457274.

Maponya P.I. (2013). Climate Change and Agricultural Production in Limpopo. Impacts and Adaptation Options. Ph.D. Thesis. Pretoria: University of South Africa.

Masunga A.W. (2014). Assessment of Socio-Economic and Institutional Factors Influencing Tomato Productivity Amongst Smallholder Farmers: A Case Study of Musoma Municipality, Tanzania. Master’s Thesis. Morogoro: Sokoine University of Agriculture.

Mathagu H.T. (2016). Market Participation of Smallholder Sunflower Farmers in Sekhukhune District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Master’s Thesis. Turfloop: University of Limpopo.

Mbitsemunda J.P., Karangwa A. (2017). Analysis of factors influencing market participation of smallholder bean farmers in Nyanza District of Southern Province, Rwanda. Journal of Agricultural Science, 9 (11), 99–111. https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v9n11p99.

Mogale M.F. (2015). Factors Affecting Production and Marketing of Smallholder Groundnuts Farmers in Moshakga Village in Mopani District Approach. Bachelor’s Thesis. Turfloop: University of Limpopo.

Monyela M.T.D. (2007). Food Security Projects with Reference to Layers at Makhuduthamaga Municipality, Greater Sekhukhune District in Limpopo Province. Master’s Thesis. Turfloop: University of Limpopo.

Mpandeli S., Nesamvuni E., Maponya P. (2015). Adapting to the impacts of drought by smallholder farmers in Sekhukhune District in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Journal of Agricultural Science, 7 (2), 115–124. https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v7n2pxx.

Ngemntu S.T. (2010). An Investigation of the Production and Marketing Challenges Faced by Smallholder Farmers in Amahlathi Municipality: A Case Study of Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme and Silwindlala Woman’s Project. Master’s Thesis. Alice: University of Fort Hare.

Nkadimeng M.V. (2019). Determinants of Market Participation and Profitability for Smallholder Nguni Livestock Farmers: Implications for Food Security and Livelihoods in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Master’s Thesis. Turfloop: University of Limpopo.

Reyes B., Donovan C., Bernsten R., Maredia M. (2012). Market participation and sale of potatoes by smallholder farmers in the Central Highlands of Angola: A double hurdle approach. Selected Poster Prepared for Presentation at the International Association of Agricultural Economics (IAAE), Triennial Conference, 18–24 August. Foz do Iguaҫu. Brazil. International Association of Agricultural Economists. https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.126655.

SAT [Southern Africa Trust], IDASA [African Democracy Institute] (2011). Public dialogue report: Can smallholder farmers address hunger in the region? Southern Africa Regional Conference, 29–30 June 2011. Pretoria.

Segage K., Nkoana M.A., Cholo M. (2018). Determinants of production and market participation of small-scale groundnut farmers in Legodi, Ramphele and Mokgohloa villages in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province. The 56th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), 25–27 September, Cape Town, South Africa. https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.284764.

Selopyane E.W. (2014). Factors Influencing Tomato Production by Smallholder Farmers in the Greater Letaba Municipality. Bachelor’s Thesis. Turfloop: University of Limpopo.

Selowa L., Lefophane M.H., Belete A. (2015). Market participation in formal agricultural output markets: A case study of small-scale tomato producers in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Journal of Human Ecology, 50 (2), 161–167. https://doi.org/10.1080/09709274.2015.11906870.

Sikwela M.M. (2013). The Impact of Farmer Support Programmes on Market Access of Smallholder Farmers in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces. Ph.D. Thesis. Alice: University of Fort Hare.

Usman I., Taiwo A.B, Haratu D., Abubakar M.A. (2013). Socio-economic factors affecting groundnut production in Sabon Gari Local Government of Kaduna State, Nigeria. International Journal of Food and Agricultural Economics, 1 (1), 41–48. https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.156141.