Thesis (M. Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / The research investigated the challenges faced by emerging farmers in managing projects towards sustainable agricultural development in Capricorn District. The literature established the importance of project management in the context of sustainable agricultural development. In this regard, it was found that it is of extreme importance to support emerging farmers in managing agricultural projects where emerging farmers are engaged through a participatory approach in decision making processes for sustainable agricultural development. Further, this research seeks to investigate the factors that hinder project management from influencing emerging farmers to manage and sustain the agricultural projects in the area of the study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were distributed to the selected sample within the target population. The purposive sampling method was used to select the 16 project officers for interviews while questionnaires were distributed randomly for 30 emerging farmers in the Molemole and Polokwane Municipalities. The findings of the study suggest that most emerging farmers and project officers think that the lack of resources and training hamper the management and sustainability of agricultural projects. To conclude, it is expected that the recommendations will highlight strategies and policies that could be put in place to accelerate the management of agricultural projects and their sustainability in the Capricorn District.

Thesis (MSc. (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / The avocado industry is a major industry in South Africa and this can be seen by its economic contribution. Limpopo Province is one of the major avocado producing areas in South Africa, and avocado production within the province ranges from smallholder to commercial production. Smallholder avocado producers within the province have a significant role to play, especially if their full potential is unleashed. For smallholder farmers to play such a role they need to be competitive. The concept of competitiveness can be defined as the ability of an industry or firm to compete successfully in order to achieve sustainable growth while earning at least the opportunity cost on resources employed. The main aim of this study was to analyse the determinants of competitiveness of smallholder avocado farmers in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province based on the Porter’s Diamond model framework in order to assess the level of competitiveness of farmers and to establish how the farmers can be assisted to reach their full potential. The study was conducted in the Vhembe District Municipality and a sample of 60 farmers was interviewed. SPSS (SPSS 26.0) was used to analyse the data. Three analytical techniques were used in the analysis for this study. Firstly, factor analysis was used to reduce and group the number of variables associated with competitiveness of the farmers. Secondly, profitability analysis through enterprise budgeting was used to categorise the farmers into two groups; competitive and noncompetitive. Thirdly, Logistic regression was used to establish the socio-economic and Porter’s Diamond model determinants that could be linked to the competitiveness of the farmers. From the factor analysis, 5 factors were extracted, namely; “chance”, “government, related and supporting industries”, “factor conditions”, “firm strategy structure and rivalry” and “demand conditions”. From the profitability analysis the farmers were grouped into competitive and non-competitive categories with 22 farmers classified as being competitive and 38 farmers as being non-competitive. From the results of logistic regression, 7 out of 12 hypothesised variables were found to be statistically significant, these were; age of farmer, number of trees planted, related and supporting industries, firm strategy structure and rivalry, chance, demand conditions and factor conditions. Chance was the only variable with a statistically significant v negative influence on the competitiveness of the farmers, this was because factors that were tested for their influence on the competitiveness of the farmers are among others: Crime, HIV/AIDS, fires, frost and floods. Based on the research findings, several policy suggestions were made, these include; mentorship and encouragement of youth participation in farming, provision of agricultural land, capacity building for farmers, government support and stakeholder mobilization, specialized extension service and formation of cooperatives as well as encouraging commercialization.

Thesis (M. A. Agricultural Management (Agricultural Extension)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Smallholder farmers’ need for regular supply of adequate, quality and affordable seed led to the establishments of Community-Based Maize Seed Production Schemes (CBSPSs) in most developing countries, including South Africa. In view of the important influence of perception on the adoption and continued use of an innovation, this study was undertaken to evaluate farmers’ perceptions of CBSPSs in Polokwane and Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipalities of Limpopo province. The conceptualization of perception used in this study was based on the Düvel (1991) framework. The evaluation focused on whether planting the scheme’s main product, improved Open-Pollinated Varieties (improved OPV maize) seed meets farmers’ needs based on their perceptions and the extent of farmers’ planting of improved OPV maize. A census approach was used in view of the small numbers of seed producers in the schemes; all scheme members (50) were, therefore, interviewed between 27 March and 21 April 2017. To allow for comparison, an equal number of farmers (50) who were not members of the scheme were also interviewed. Data was collected from farmers using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to analyze the data using SPSS software. A binary logistic model was used to analyze factors that influence farmer perceptions on OPV benefits. The study findings showed that there is a significant relationship between awareness knowledge of improved OPV maize and planting of improved OPV maize. Furthermore, the results showed that farmers perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of improved OPV maize seed were not different among scheme and non-scheme members as they were all in agreement that improved OPV maize have more benefits than their own previously recycled seeds. Finally, findings showed that respondents municipality and scheme membership had a significant, effect on the positive perception of planting improved OPV maize seeds. Other explanatory variables such as sex, farming experience, years of viii schooling, farm size, income and age of participants had no significant effect on farmer perceptions. It is therefore recommended that improved OPV maize be made widely available and promoted based on its advantages to enhance its adoption. Future studies on these seed schemes could look into the production and financial analysis of CBSPSs to ascertain their profitability and sustainability. / Agricultural Research Council (ARC)

Thesis (M.Sc (Agricultural Economics)) --University of Limpopo, 2015 / Agriculture plays an important role in uplifting the economy of South Africa. Small-scale farmers in rural areas are linked with poverty and operate inefficiently due to over or under utilization of some of the factors of production. This study aimed at analysing the technical and allocative efficiency of small-scale maize farmers in Tzaneen municipality. The objectives of the study were: (i) To assess the level of technical and allocative efficiency of small-scale maize farmers in Tzaneen municipality, (ii) To identify socio-economic factors affecting the efficiency of small-scale maize farmers in Tzaneen municipality and (iii) to investigate the areas of improvement with regard to the operational management of the small-scale maize farmers in Tzaneen municipality. The study employed the Cobb-Douglas production function and the logistic regression model to analyse data. The Cobb-Douglas production function results revealed that small-scale maize farmers in Tzaneen municipality are technically efficient in the production of maize with the highest mean technical efficiency value of 0.71%. The study further revealed that farmers were allocatively inefficient with a mean allocative efficiency value of 0.39%. The logistic regression analysis revealed important variables such as the level of education (1.05), experience in farming (2.74), access to irrigation water (0.59), purchase of hybrid seed (0.74), access to credit (2.13) and extension visits (0.85) were positively significant towards the efficiency of farmers. Variables such as gender of the farmer (-1.79) and off-farm income (-2.72) were found to be negatively significant towards the efficiency of small-scale maize farmers in Tzaneen Municipality. The findings obtained in this study could be quite useful to policy makers. This study recommend that there is a need for more visits from the extension officers as well as training on inputs allocation, since variables like Seed (0.41), fertilizer (0.17), capital (0.71) and expenses (-0.204) were found to be inefficiently allocated in the production of maize. The provision of easy, quick and adequate credit deserves to be a top priority on the agenda of policy makers since most small-scale maize farmers in Tzaneen municipality does not receive off-farm income. Small-scale farmers in Tzaneen municipality also need to have access to enough arable land in order to increase production. Small-scale farmers in South Africa and other developing countries contribute to employment creation and food security in the households, therefore, it is important that government fully support such farmers.

Bibliography: leaves 146-153. This thesis analyses factors influencing farmers use of groundwater pump irrigation in Lombok, Indonesia. It aims to identify the determinants of the speed of technology adoption, to identify factors affecting the levels of water use and to estimate the state of water use by comparing the actual water use to the estimated optimal water use.

Denna studie syftar till att identifiera vad det är som driver eller hindrar lantbrukare i Östergötland att ställa om sitt lantbruk till ekologisk produktion och huruvida de identifierade påverkningsfaktorerna skiljer sig åt mellan konventionella och ekologiska lantbrukare. Semistrukturerade intervjuer med tre konventionella samt fyra ekologiska lantbrukare genomfördes för att undersöka deras erfarenheter. Respondenternas erfarenheter redovisas i sex identifierade teman; Gårdsspecifika förutsättningar, Ekonomi, Politik, Administration och regelverk, Miljö och hälsa samt Produktionsteknik. En jämförelse mellan de båda grupperna genomförs och det empiriska materialet ställs mot tidigare forskning. Resultatet av studien visar att skillnader mellan ekologiska och konventionella lantbrukares uppfattningar kring hinder och drivkrafter förekommer, men inte inom alla teman. Det är tydligt att lönsamhet är viktigt för att lantbrukare skall ställa om sin produktion men även andra faktorer påverkar valet och behöver beaktas om en ökad konvertering är önskvärd. / This study aims to identify motivations and barriers for farmers in Östergötland regarding conversion to organic farming and if the identified factors of influence differ between the conventional and the organic farmers. We used semi-structured interviews with three conventional farmers and four organic farmers to examine their personal experience regarding organic farming. The experiences from the respondents are presented in six identified themes: Farm specific conditions, Economy, Politics, Administration and regulations, Environment and health and Production techniques. This is followed by a comparison between the groups, and the empirical material is linked to scientific sources on the subject. The result of the study indicates that differences between identified motivations and barriers exists between the two groups, but not within every theme. It is clear that profitability is an important factor for farmers to convert their production, but other factors may influence the choice as well. It is necessary to consider these factors if an additional increase in organic farming is desired.

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This study investigates the characteristics of technology adoption by small-scale farmers, notably the factors influencing the adoption of hybrid maize seed, inorganic fertilizer and machinery technologies. The study also on the basis of socio-economic and institutional factors, identifies the dimensions of small-scale farmers. Data for the study were obtained from a sample survey of 160 households in the Amangwane and Amazizi wards, located in the Okhahlamba magisterial district of KwaZulu-Natal during August 2000. The chief aim of this study is to generate empirical information that can be used to devise programs to encourage small-scale farmers to adopt agricultural technologies. The motivation of the research emanates from the fact that there is limited empirical information as to the actual adoption patterns of agricultural technologies by small-scale farmers. The nature and relative importance of factors associated with technology adoption is time and location specific. The study by using more recent and broader information builds on previous studies in order to complement technology adoption research on small-scale farmers. Understanding what factors influence the adoption of farm technologies and categories or dimensions of small-scale agriculture should provide information on policy options to stimulate technology adoption and improve growth in agricultural productivity. A categorical dependent variable was specified to identify farmers' adoption pattern of hybrid maize seed and fertilizer. Seventy-two farmers were adopters of both hybrid seed and fertilizer, 56 were adopters of either hybrid seed or fertilizer while 32 farmers were non-adopters. The results of binary logistic regression analysis indicate the adoption of hybrid maize seed and fertilizer is positively associated with, in order of importance, larger farms, older household heads, more value of livestock and better access to information sources. An index that indicates farmers' status of adoption of machinery technologies was constructed using a principal component analysis technique. The analysis showed that the adoption of machinery technologies can be represented by the single index which could be used as a dependent variable. A principal component regression analysis was subsequently used to determine factors contributing to the adoption of the machinery technology index. The results indicate that adoption was higher for (1) older and male headed households in general and residents of the Amangwane ward in particular; (2) operators of more arable land, owners of more livestock and earners of more non-farm income; and (3) households with large family labour, and households that made use of extension services and information sources. These results are consistent with hypothesised relationship between technology adoption and the predictors and are supported by previous empirical findings. Priority should be given to policies that alleviate the tenure insecurity problem on arable land and this in turn promotes a land rental market. This would involve an institutional change and legal infrastructural support services. Arable land holding is highly skewed within the communal setting and the state needs to address this equity issue on arable land through redistribution or reform policies. The state needs also to invest in public goods that alleviate the problems of private investors for example by encouraging credit providers or promoting rural financial markets to alleviate liquidity constraints and enhance adoption. Investment in farmer training and education should therefore, be seen as priority if higher adoption rates and an improvement in income are to be achieved. Inadequate and poor extension and information services imply an urgent need for the formation of community and farming associations and for the provision of extension services to groups of farmers. Investment in these areas may reduce the cost of technology transfer programmes. The results of a principal component analysis to identify the dimensions of small-scale farmers in communal areas of KwaZulu indicate that farmers fall into distinct categories. Component 1 is an emerging commercial and a more mechanised household while component 2 is a land-less farm household that is more educated and earns more non-farm income largely from contractor services. Component 3 is a non-farm female headed household that depends on income from land renting and non-farm jobs. Component 4 is a small intensive garden farmer, headed by a relatively educated female who has access to institutional services. Component 5 is relatively less educated, a female-headed and land-poor household that rents land and produces intensively. It is concluded that a single policy measure cannot do justice to the needs of all of the farmers since it would affect different households differently. An integrated and a comprehensive programme is needed that would promote agriculture; facilitate income transfer or safety nets to alleviate poverty and the relief of short-term stress; address the problems of tenure insecurity; overcome the gender inequalities in accessing resources; and restructure institutional supports by providing rural finance, and an extension and legal infrastructure. / Thesis (M.Sc.Agric.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

abstract: ABSTRACT Fruit and vegetable intake is not uniform across levels of socioeconomic status (SES) and researchers have identified low SES as a risk factor for poor intake of fruits and vegetables. In an effort to eliminate public health disparities and increase fruit and vegetable intake, the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program implemented additional food assistance programs, with a specific emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables. The Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides pre-existing WIC clients with coupons to purchase fresh, locally grown produce at farmers' markets. In addition, Congress also approved the WIC Cash Value Voucher (CVV) program, which provides WIC participants with vouchers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets or grocery stores. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the relation of FMNP coupon use with accessibility and WIC CVV redemption rates at farmers' markets. Furthermore, this thesis addressed whether WIC shoppers redeemed a higher percentage of their WIC CVV value at farmers' markets or grocery stores. WIC CVV and FMNP issuance and redemption data were analyzed to establish overall redemption rates and total perecent of WIC CVV value redeemed. Accessibility was assessed using the Geographic Information System, which allowed me to calculate the distance that WIC participants would have to travel to redeem their FMNP coupons at FMNP-approved farmers' markets. The results showed that less than 1% of WIC shoppers redeem their WIC CVVs at farmers'markets in Arizona. However, the redemption of WIC CVV was significantly higher during the months when shoppers had the option of using both WIC CVV and FMNP coupons at farmers' markets. Furthermore, the percent of total CVV value redeemed at farmers' markets was 99%, significantly higher than grocery stores (93.5%). Average FMNP coupon redemption rates for 2008-2010 was 43.3%, well below the national average of 59%. However, my spatial analysis revealed that there was no significant association between the distance traveled to farmers' markets and FMNP redemption rates. This indicates that the distance traveled to farmers' markets is not a major barrier to redemption of FMNP coupons in Arizona. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Nutrition 2012

The USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program's (SNAP) strives to connect SNAP recipients to local and healthful food sold at Farmers' markets. These efforts are an attempt to provide families, struggling to make ends meet, access to healthy foods and food purchasing power via the Federal Food Stamp program. However, of the 288 listed farmers' markets in Illinois only 25 are listed as SNAP/EBT accepting markets (2010 National Farmers Market Directory). The first part of this study uses the 61st Street Farmers Market as a case study, investigating the practical market operations and interpreting their method of EBT implementation to provide an established model of an existing and thriving farmers' market. Next, I will investigate the socio-economic characteristics (population, race, employment, income, poverty, education, age, and SNAP recipients) of Illinois farmers' markets accepting EBT. I will compare this data to other Illinois Farmers' markets that do not accept EBT and assess which non-accepting market locations would be most suitable for implementing EBT usage in the future. Finally, based on my case study and statistical analysis, I will discuss recommendations for farmers' markets to accept EBT into their markets. Findings indicate that there is no significant difference between the mean ranks of the socio-economic characteristics for the EBT and non-EBT accepting farmers' markets. Of the 8 socio-economic characteristics tested, the populations of SNAP recipients were analogous for each group: EBT and Non-EBT accepting farmers' markets.