Thesis (M.Sc. Agriculture (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is an important cash crop, which remains one of the largest sources of income and a way of sustaining livelihoods for rural households in South Africa. Smallholder farming in most rural areas of the Limpopo Province contributes to food security. However, the majority of smallholder farmers experience low agricultural productivity, low quantities and poor quality produce which reduce their chances of accessing markets. Hence, this study focused on identifying and analysing factors that determine productivity and market access by smallholder spinach farmers in the Polokwane Local Municipality, Limpopo Province. This area of research is important towards the development of smallholder farming where resources are limited, but high population growth is very common. The overall objective of the study was to examine farm and farmer characteristics that determine the productivity and market access of the smallholder vegetable farmers. In order to achieve the aim and objectives of this study, a multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 80 smallholder spinach farmers to collect primary data from them using structured questionnaires. Cobb-Douglas production function was used to examine factors that determine productivity level and the Two limit Tobit Model was also used to analyse factors that influence market access. The results from the Cobb-Douglas production function indicated that smallholder farmers in the study area are experiencing a decreasing return to scale, which suggests that they are over-utilising factors of production. Two-limit Tobit Model results on the socioeconomic factors that influence market access indicated that household size was statistically significant at 10%, distance to the market, extension contact and farming experience were statistically significant at 5% and educational level, quantity produced and market information was statistically significant at 1%. Based on the findings, several policy suggestions were made. These include strengthening of farmers‟ organisation, provision of market information, regular extension visits and provision of training to the farmers.

Smallholder agriculture is faced with so many challenges despite all the policies and programmes that have been channelled towards ensuring improvement in this sector. Improving smallholder agricultural productivity requires that smallholder farmers gain access to reliable and adequate farmer support services such as physical infrastructures like good road network, functional irrigation facilities, extension services, finance and efficient marketing system. However, these support services are lacking in a vast majority of the rural communities in which the smallholder farmers live and work. This study is centred on governance within the food value chains, with specific focus on butternuts and chicken value chains;with a view to identifying those factors preventing smallholder farmers from accessing the mainstream market. Ciko and Mbozi villages in Mbashe local municipality were used as the research sites for the study. Data were collected across the two villages through sampling of 100 individual farming households based on random selection; questionnaires and checklist of questions were used as tools to access information from farmers through focus group discussions, personal interviews and key informants. In addition,Ciko Santrini project and foundation community project, which are the two agricultural community projects located within the study area were also investigated. Conceptual and analytical frameworks were employed in the research analysis. Williamson’s 4-level of social analysis and the sustainable livelihood frameworks were used to conceptualize the analysis. Inferential analysis was carried out using binary logistic regression and discriminant analysis with focus on butternuts and cSmallholder agriculture is faced with so many challenges despite all the policies and programmes that have been channelled towards ensuring improvement in this sector. Improving smallholder agricultural productivity requires that smallholder farmers gain access to reliable and adequate farmer support services such as physical infrastructures like good road network, functional irrigation facilities, extension services, finance and efficient marketing system. However, these support services are lacking in a vast majority of the rural communities in which the smallholder farmers live and work. This study is centred on governance within the food value chains, with specific focus on butternuts and chicken value chains;with a view to identifying those factors preventing smallholder farmers from accessing the mainstream market. Ciko and Mbozi villages in Mbashe local municipality were used as the research sites for the study. Data were collected across the two villages through sampling of 100 individual farming households based on random selection; questionnaires and checklist of questions were used as tools to access information from farmers through focus group discussions, personal interviews and key informants. In addition,Ciko Santrini project and foundation community project, which are the two agricultural community projects located within the study area were also investigated. Conceptual and analytical frameworks were employed in the research analysis. Williamson’s 4-level of social analysis and the sustainable livelihood frameworks were used to conceptualize the analysis. Inferential analysis was carried out using binary logistic regression and discriminant analysis with focus on butternuts and chicken production among the smallholder farmers in the study area to determine factors that could encourage farmers ‘access markets. The results showed that factors such as; assistance from government agency, partnerships with private and public institutions and farmers’ decision due to access to information were significant at 1% level for both butternuts and chicken production. On the other hand, factors such as provision of input subsidy and farmers’ membership of agricultural development projects are significant at 5% level. The findings suggest that adoption of any or combination of the significant factors could serve as good support structures for farmers and they could directly help them market their produce efficiently.