Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MA (Anthropology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Anthropology and Archaeology / unrestricted

The study focused on formal and informal non-metropolitan small- to medium sized tourism accommodation (NSMTA) facilities in Limpopo, the challenges relating to their capacity and their potential role in tourism promotion and development in the province. The apparent lack of the use of strategic planning approaches to promote tourism development among NSMTA operators seemed to create three interrelated problems that were deemed necessary to address. First, the developmental problem where operators show no interest in developing their enterprises in a way that could advance provincial tourism growth or development; second, an absence of visible, co-ordinated effort on the part of relevant provincial tourism stakeholders to promote tourism development through strategic planning; and third, the noticeable gap between demand and supply. The main aim of the study was to present a generic strategic plan that could be used to ensure that the accommodation sector would offer a prompt response to any change in tourism demand or supply as well as attending to the ongoing process of adjustment of services. Various approaches to data collection were adopted with the concurrent use of questionnaires and interviews to elicit objective responses being particularly valuable. Several interesting findings came to the fore. The researcher identified a number of the NSMTA enterprises, which had gained strategic locational advantages because of their positioning in proximity to areas like the Kruger National Park, the Bela-Bela warm baths and mineral springs, the Bushveld countryside of the Waterberg and the scenic beauty of the Valley of the Olifants in the vicinity of Hoedspruit, that appeared to give accommodation operators a better chance of success. These locations generally exhibited characteristics that placed NSMTA facilities in relevant and viable settings in terms of convenience, to ultimately contribute to growth in the tourism industry. The long-accepted notion that the majority of small business owners in South Africa had lower socio-economic status was not supported in that many of the respondents were professional people and farmers who had other sources of income. In addition, the study’s findings regarding the development of informal enterprises is contrary to the general perception which assumes that ‘informal sectors develop spontaneously; it revealed that even the smallest of tourism accommodation operators did some kind of planning before the actual establishment of their operation. According to the survey, the nature of formal business planning varied, depending on the type of operation. The less sophisticated, smaller accommodation establishments and tour businesses reflected a personal focus and commitment to the product rather than to selling the service offered. Furthermore, they were less inclined to formalise their business operation, ignoring grading status and interaction with other stakeholders. Single-handed management was common (60%). Two thirds (68%) of the owners/managers who took part in the in-depth interviews justified their decision not to adopt a formal business plan. Uncertainties regarding forecasting business profitability and identifying market tendencies, made projecting future trends difficult. Respondents felt that formal business planning was too rigid for the increasingly dynamic nature of the industry. Other reasons were the sizes of enterprises, lack of time, knowledge and ambition to expand, because businesses were merely supplementary sources of family income not solely a business operation. Tourism promotion efforts were inconsistent throughout all four tourism regions and within the accommodation enterprise categories. Variations were influenced by factors such as visitor demand, regional characteristics, and physical accessibility of the region, the business size the owners/manager’s motivation, management style and marketing strategies. The research findings point to a number of key issues that create a gap between demand and supply. Contextual differences related to contrasting geographical environments, the nature and size of the tourism accommodation operation, its management and ownership structure, the personal characteristics and abilities of the owner/manager and understanding the socio-economic importance of the tourism business. Ultimately the study presents a generic strategic plan geared to reacting to change and the demand conditions in the tourism accommodation market. If implemented, its integrated and long-term approach could enhance tourism development at local, provincial and national levels. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Tourism Management / unrestricted

Introduction South Africa is one of the countries hardest hit by HIV/AIDS. Of particular concern, new infections among young people, especially young women and girls are on the rise. Despite widespread awareness and prevention campaigns, the prevalence of HIV and deaths caused by AIDS are still on the increase, whereas condom use particularly in rural areas remains low. Consistent condom use is central to the prevention of unwanted pregnancies, HIV and other STIs, yet young men and women alike are hesitant to use condoms because of threats to their relationships, cultural roles and at times economic survival. Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify socio-cultural and behavioral factors that influence condom use among youths in Limpopo province, South Africa. This adds to a growing body of knowledge on the determinants of condom use and how they might shape effective HIV prevention programs. Objectives 1. To conduct a secondary data analysis that examines the determinants of condom use, for men and women separately in relation to the following factors: Socio-demographic characteristics- age, education, marital status, migration and iv socio-economic status Sexual behavior characteristics- partnership type (spousal, non spousal, or both), age at sexual debut, number of lifetime sexual partners, contraceptive use (females only) and HIV-status Socio-cultural characteristics - perceived risk of HIV infection, condom self efficacy (males only), partner communication on sex, condoms, HIV and other STI’s, beliefs on gender norms, attitudes towards gender violence, knowledge on HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS related stigma To compare the results of this analysis to other national studies on condom use among young people. To use the results of this analysis to make recommendations to improve HIV control in rural South Africa.Methods This study is a secondary analysis of data collected from a sample of 2236 sexually active young people aged between 14-35 years in Limpopo province, South Africa. The data used in this study is part of a wider public health intervention, the Intervention with Micro-finance for AIDS and Gender Equity (IMAGE) study. STATA 8.0 was used to analyze data in bivariate and multivariate analyses to assess determinants of consistent condom use and condom use at last sex for males and females separately as the patterns of associations are likely to differ between them. Results Overall condom use in this population was low: less than a quarter of respondents used condoms consistently and less than one third of men and women used condoms at last sex. This is especially true of females, married couples and those who have multiple partners. In multivariate analysis, significant predictors of consistent condom use for both sexes included good communication, older age at sexual debut, low risk perception of HIV infection, progressive attitudes towards gender violence and high HIV-related stigma. High condom self-efficacy, defined as the intention to pick up or purchase condoms with the intention of use, was the most powerful predictor of both condom use indices among males. Among females only, having fewer than three lifetime sexual partners was positively associated with using condoms consistently. Lastly, females who used condoms as their main method of contraception were up to 20 times more likely to use them consistently and at last sex. Conclusions HIV prevention programmes in this population should focus on delaying sexual debut, increasing perceived risk of HIV infection, encouraging partner communication, making condoms more easily accessible to young men and addressing gender inequalities. Furthermore, the dual protection offered by condoms against unwanted pregnancies and against HIV and other STI’s should be emphasized in this population as it plays an important role in the prevention of HIV.

M.Fam.Med., Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2009 / Trauma is a pandemic that has a significant negative impact on the lives of its victims and national economies. This descriptive study was conducted on 103 private medical general practitioners in Limpopo Province. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the University of the Witwatersrand Committee for research on Human Subjects (Medical). Approval protocol number M050230. The aim of the study was to determine the state of pre-hospital trauma care: training and preparedness of and practice by private medical general practitioners (GPs) in Limpopo Province. Data was collected by means of an anonymous, confidential, self-administered questionnaire. The objectives were to determine demographic features of the respondents; determine the status of emergency pre-hospital trauma training, preparedness and practice amongst the respondents; and to determine their incentives and disincentives to trauma medicine training, preparedness and practice in Limpopo province. The response rate was 36%. Fifty five per cent (55%) of the respondents had received trauma training since they commenced work as GPs. The proportion of GPs who said that they received trauma training while working in hospitals casualty departments was 52%. The number of respondents who completed ATLS was 24 (23%). Five (21%) of those who had completed ATLS updated their qualifications during years 2001 to 2005. Of the GPs surveyed 46% were not aware of ATLS course offered by the College of Emergency Care at Polokwane City. The majority of the respondents graduated as medical practitioners from the university of Pretoria (38%) and MEDUNSA (31%). But undergoing trauma management training was not associated with the medical schools from which 4 respondents graduated as medical practitioners (p=0.767; Fisher’s exact=0.827; Pearson chi2 = 4.9075). The medical schools from which respondents graduated as medical practitioners was also not related to the amount of private medical practice that comprised emergency care (p= 0.372). Undergoing trauma training was not associated with the age of a GP (p value= 0.120; Fisher exact=0.127). Sex was not found to be associated with trauma training (p=0.895; Fisher exact=1.000). Sex also had no link to the proportion of medical practice comprising emergency care (p-value=0.153; Fisher ‘s exact=0.214; Pearson Chi2). Even though location of GP’s practice was reported to be both an incentive and disincentive to trauma management training it was found not to be associated with trauma management training (p=0.393; Fisher exact=0.426; Pearson chi2 =1.5687) There was no association between location of GP’s practice and preparedness for trauma management. The exception to the finding was in terms of availability of chest drains where the p-value was 0.001. It was found that 31% of respondents who indicated that they had chest drains were based in rural areas while about 6% were practicing in urban areas. Availability of morphine and other analgesics (p-value=0.025, Fisher’s exact=0.038, Pearson Chi2 (1)=5.0165) were associated with preparedness for trauma. There was no association between type of GP practice and trauma management training (Pearson Chi2 (2) =2.1242. p- value = 0.346. Fisher’s exact = 0.429). Almost 95% of those who stated that they spent at least 50% of their time in private general medical practice were full-time. Being in full-time private general medical practice did not necessarily translate into a higher proportion of the practice that comprised trauma care. It was found that 64% of the respondents who were in full-time private general medical practice had an emergency trauma care burden of less than 10% compared to 36% that had a proportion of 10% and more. Amongst part-time practitioners the percentage of those whose burden of trauma care was less than 10% was equal to that of those with 10% and more. The findings implied lack of an association between time spent in private general medical practice and proportion of the practice that constitutes trauma care (p=0.621). The commonest method of updating trauma management skills was through personal study (37% of respondents) followed by attendance of trauma meetings (24% of respondents). Trauma trained GPs tended to have a higher proportion of their practices that comprised emergency trauma care (p-value = 0.030; Fisher’s exact =0.050) than those who had not. The frequently used sources of trauma management information were personal experience (58%) of the respondents followed by continuing medical education (50% of respondents). Almost 50.8% of the respondents reported that they were fairly skilled to manage in a pre-hospital setting various types of injuries. Minor soft tissue injuries were the type of trauma that 68% of the respondents said that they could manage excellently. Incentives factors to both trauma training and practice were high trauma prevalence (33.3% of respondents-training: and 20.7% of respondents-practice); performance improvement (20% of respondents-training: 12.1% of respondents respectively-practice); adequate and managed trauma care facilities (17% of respondents-training: 10.4% of respondents-practice); trauma care support (6.7% of respondents-training: 6.9% of respondents-practice); the need to improve trauma knowledge and skills (17% of respondents-training: 17.2% of respondents-practice) and; strategic GP practice location (7% of respondents-training: 6.9% of respondents-practice). Major disincentives to both trauma training and practice were lack of time for trauma care (28.9% respondents-training: 14.9% respondents practice); unsupportive staff (10% respondents-training: 14.9% respondents-practice); perceived high cost of trauma care and poor rewards (15.6% respondents-training: 11.7% respondents-practice); substandard and inaccessible trauma care facilities (15.6% respondents-training: 24.5% respondents-practice); under-utilized trauma knowledge and skills (6.7% respondents-training: 4.3% respondents-practice); 6 restrictive healthcare regulations and policies (2.2% respondents-training: 2% respondents-practice); and low number of trauma patients seen (11.1% respondents-training: 3.2% respondents-practice). In terms of preparedness for trauma the respondents were ill-prepared for trauma as evidenced by insufficient trauma equipment and drugs. Whereas almost all the respondents (frequency 102 or 99%) had stethoscopes only 7% had cricothyrotomy set. Only 18% of them had needle with one-way valve and chest drains. The trauma drug that appeared to have been the most widely stocked was adrenaline with a frequency of 96 or 93%. It was followed by aspirin with a frequency of 95 or 92%. Ketamine and zidovudine were drugs that were least stocked by the respondents. Their frequencies were 27 or 26%) and 33 or 32% respectively. The other equipment that was infrequently available at GPs’ rooms was goggles (frequency 46%) suggesting poor adherence to safety measures. There were low levels of preparedness to manage trauma patients independently with 43% reporting that they could independently adhere to universal safety measures. Whereas 52% of the respondents stated that they had received training in CPR 54.5% stated that they were equipped and prepared to open and protect the airway; 43% could independently provide adequate breathing while 45% of them could restore and maintain sufficient circulation, indicating a need to improve levels of CPR training. It was recommended that more general practitioners in Limpopo province should be trained and involved in trauma care. It was further recommended that awareness should be raised about the ATLS offered at the College of Emergency Care in Polokwane City. Further research is needed to explore how trauma trained GPs could be better equipped, prepared and supported in the management of trauma. There was also a need to address the disincentive factors to trauma training, preparedness and practice while strengthening the incentives. Given the critical shortage of advanced emergency practitioners (such as paramedics) in Limpopo province, there was perhaps a need to consider how GPs, with their 7 advanced medical qualifications and strategic positioning within communities, could be better deployed in pre-hospital trauma care.

Blueberry, Cherry and Raspberry (berry) production is a potential alternative land use opportunity in the Limpopo Province (LP) of South Africa (RSA). RSA based site selection criterion and literature is limited. Haenertsburg and an area near Pietersburg (Polokwane) were identified for berry production potential. In Haenertsburg, most viable land is held by the timber industry. In Pietersburg, soil and climatic conditions vary greatly, representing a site selection risk. Using accepted site selection processes, a study was conducted which identified the need to select land qualities and characteristics (QC’s) appropriate to berry production. The study revealed key QCs’ and secondary QCs’. Key QCs’ must be adhered to for site selection, while secondary QCs’ have site-specific application. The key land qualities are climate, soil, water, topography and management. In order to design a land rating system (LRS), specific characteristic values were cataloged per quality and per berry. Characteristic values were assigned to a land rating system where S1 (highly suitable), S2 (moderately suitable), S3 (marginally suitable), N1 (currently not suitable) and N2 (not suitable). To test the LRS, a real, but non-representative resource assessment (RA) took place. The RA revealed the further need to incorporate land limits into site selection. QCs’ and land limit data was collected from existing sources and measured in situ where the data was insufficient. Finally the RA data was applied to the LRS through the process of matching. The matching precipitated the formation of a site selection process or tool, presented on tables. Each table represents a land quality. Water and soil criteria varied per berry, while topography, water and management were common to all three berries. Additionally, the site selection tool enabled the assessment of secondary QCs’. The assessment process is conservative, allocating the lowest land rating as the overall rating. This allows for the land user to address the most limiting factor from worst to least, thereby ensuring sustainable and good land use. / Dissertation (MInstAgrar (Land-Use Planning))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

The aquifer vulnerability of the Molototsi (B81G) and Middle Letaba (B82D) quaternary catchments was assessed to determine the influence of the vadose zone on the groundwater regime. Anecdotal evidence indicated that the aquifers may be vulnerable to pollution. The aquifer vulnerability was assessed by developing a new method RDSS. The RDSS method was developed by combining relevant vulnerability parameters of DRASTIC, GOD, EPIK, SEEPAGE, COP and SINTACS. RDSS evaluates the vadose zone as a pathway for pollutants by using the following four parameters namely: Recharge, Depth to water table, Soil type and Slope. Recharge was estimated using the Chloride-mass balance method. Depth to water table was measured in the field using a dipmeter. For inaccessible boreholes, data was requested from Groundwater Project Consulting Company. The seepage behaviour (soil type) was determined using parameters such as hydraulic conductivity, infiltration and percolation. Percolation and hydraulic conductivity was determined by undertaking percolation tests in accordance with SABS 0252-2:1993. Infiltration was determined using the double ring infiltrometer. Slopes were determined from the digital elevation method using ArcGIS software. High recharge was revealed in the lower parts of both B81G and B82D. Shallow depth to water level was revealed on the upper part of B82D and extended towards the lower part of B81G. Soil type relates to saturated vertical hydraulic conductivity, which was rated to be high in the northeast of B81G. Gentle (high influence due to preferential infiltration to runoff) slopes extend from the south towards the northern parts of both B81G and B82D. The four parameters (recharge, depth to water table, soil type, and slope) were overlaid using Weighted Sum, Weighted Overlay and Raster Calculator to produce the final vulnerability map. When using Weighted Overlay and Weighted Sum, rasters were given different percentages of influence in different scenarios. The Weighted Overlay tool inputs multiple rasters and sets all weights equal to 100%. The Weighted Sum tool inputs multiple rasters and sets all weight equal to 1.0. When using the Raster Calculator, rasters were evaluated by being added together without multiplying by the percentage of influence. The results obtained are discussed in detail with reference to the degree of vulnerability of these two densely populated rural areas. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Geology / unrestricted

A water use and availability study was conducted at the Dzindi Irrigation Scheme in Limpopo Province. The problems experienced at Dzindi Irrigation Scheme regarding water allocation, concern water availability at a field level. Although water is continuously being diverted into the main canal, farmers at the bottom end of the system claim not to receive adequate water supplies, forcing them to practice dry land irrigation (farming). Water losses occur between the source and the point of application, and the causes of loss need to be identified so that water availability can be improved. The study focused on water released to Block 2, and an analysis was made of all losses which occur from the weir where water is released to the point of application in the fields. An estimation of water supplies that return to the river as an unused delivery, and conveyance losses that occur along the distribution channels, were determined through a water balance drawn up from measured canal inflows, such as seepage and evaporation. A total volume of 371096 m3 was supplied to Block 2 during a 45 day monitoring period. For a planted area of 16.52 ha, this works out to 22463 m3 /ha supplied, or a relative irrigation supply of 14.2 times the irrigation requirement. Losses originate from a number of sources. Results indicated that losses that occurred in the main canal were very low, with a conveyance efficiency of 96% recorded. Knowledge of irrigation water management and practical irrigation scheduling at a scheme level is weak. The biggest immediate need is to improve the management of the infrastructure. The main system capacity is adequate, and losses due to seepage, evaporation and return flows are within acceptable limits. The return flows are mostly caused by the farmers’ lack of understanding that led to them removing the entire sluice gates at the head of the secondary canals of Block 2. This results in water running to the first two secondary canals only, and not reaching the rest of the Block. Based on the requirements identified by all the stakeholders, training should be provided to the water bailiffs and farmers to implement management practices that are both effective and sustainable. Together with prioritised infrastructure upgrading, more acceptable water delivery should be possible. The challenge lies in making the technical and the social aspects converge in such a way that the result is acceptable to both systems and can be sustained over time. The opportunities for capacity building by equipping thestakeholders with new skills are considerable, but the time and effort required to achieve this should not be underestimated. / Dissertation (M Inst Agrar (Rural Engineering Technology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Civil Engineering / unrestricted

During the apartheid era, Black South Africans in large numbers were forced to live in overcrowded reserves, which were impoverished, homelands and townships through decentralization. Because of the high level of poverty, people could not afford quality seeds and fertilizers for good harvests. A government initiative known as the National Land Reform programme was established to address the issue of redressing the injustice of forced removals and historical denial to access land that was created by the apartheid policies. The initiative had to ensure security of tenure for rural dwellers, decongest overcrowding and supply of residential and productive land to the poorest section of the rural population, raise income and productivity, build the economy through the provision of support services by generating large scale employment, and increase rural incomes. The international experience of land reform has broadened the issue of injustice and denials to access land by reversing the problems to create solutions. Land reform is a policy and legal understanding to increase access to land by giving poor people ownership rights and ensuring sustainable land use. Most of the objectives of land reform in other countries included improving the agricultural efficiency, distributing land equitable, uplifting the standard of living, reducing poverty, and achieving equitable land redistribution. The occurrence of land redistribution has been part of land reform in many developing countries. From land redistribution, it has been learnt that there should be greater emphasis on supporting productivity and access to input and product markets. On the other hand, land tenure reform aimed at motivating individual land ownership, increasing and protecting peoples land rights, and introducing more security by using effective system of cadastral surveys and title registration. The source of revenue for local governments has been land taxes. Land tax does not discourage investments in land improvements. Although land reform has been unsuccessful at some point, its success has been achieved by addressing the equity in land distribution and upgrading livelihood and raising a number of successful Black agricultural producers. Land dispossession is an ancient issue that still has an effect even in contemporary times. Because of the necessity for land reform to be utilized, it will promote equity as well as efficiency in South Africa. The equitable growth patterns created by land reform shifted income and power to the poor. Land reform promotes efficiency through redistribution of agricultural land to smallholders. Smallholders become more efficient than large holders because they are more responsible for most farming activities. The land reform success in South Africa should be measured against its ability to address equity in land redistribution and livelihood upgrading, reduction in poverty, creation of rural employment, and income generating opportunities. Land restitution programme is concerned with the communities who were victimised by the past racially discriminatory legislation. The programme provides specific compensation to victims of forced removals. The major outstanding issue is the level of compensation to which claimants should be entitled. A programme called tenure reform promotes security of tenure to all citizens of the country and prevents evictions by the state or landowners. One of the aims of the tenure reform programme is to increase tenure security for about six million households. The impact of land reform on the lives of people is that there has been an improvement on the quality of lives. Though within a restricted scale, the agricultural and non-agricultural productions are taking place; and there is better service delivery. Because of excessive bureaucracy and over centralization of the land reform programme, the implementation of the process has been slow. A baseline study of the quality of live of land reform beneficiaries was undertaken in Limpopo Province at Gertrudsburg. The community of Gertrudsburg was forcibly removed from their land in 1963. They lodged a claim to the farm, Ledig 289 LS, in 1995 and succeeded in 2001. Gertrudsburg forms part of the Makhado Municipality in the Vhembe District. The area experiences a dry climate with consistent summer rainfall. Occasionally, summers are very hot while winters are cold. The baseline study of Gertrudsburg has four basic steps that were followed that include determining what to measure, designing the questionnaire, fieldwork and data collection and data analysis. For the baseline study to be successful, important questions had to be answered, and the general information was gathered in a form of questionnaires and fieldwork. Using both qualitative and quantitative approaches did data analysis. The two approaches were used in order to put more emphasis on the data of the quality of life of land reform beneficiaries. Qualitative approach has two phenomena in which one focuses on the natural settings, while the other involves studying the complexity. The quantitative approach was carried out in order to strengthen the importance of the quality of life of land reform beneficiaries. In order for land reform and other aspects such as land redistribution to be implemented, there must be involvement with the government departments, local government, parastatal, and non-government organizations. The outcomes of land reform include reduction in poverty, change in agrarian structure, and increased productivity. The success of the restitution process was achieved through the restoration of more than 887 000 hectares of land to more than 172 00 households. The baseline study showed the presence of poor quality of life in Gertrudsburg. It generally indicated the basic needs of people, which are not yet accessible by others. Success in land reform is enhanced when all stakeholders are involved and when they work closely together. More attention is still needed in order to upgrade the services and facilities in Gertrudsburg. The study generally recommends that for the improvement of the quality of life in Gertrudsburg, the following should be implemented: increment of commitment at national level to post-settlement support through conceptual, fiscal, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation provisions; increment of the role of district and local municipality; promotion of integrated planning and implementation; introduction of project implementation support team; establishment of a provincial land reform post-settlement implementation strategy; and improvement of inter-departmental communication at project and government level. The results of the baseline study could be used for future evaluation and monitoring the improvement of the quality of life in Gertrudsburg. / Dissertation (M Inst Agrar (Land Development))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / M Inst Agrar / unrestricted

This dissertation describes a study undertaken in Limpopo Province and is based on the GPAP project which was created under the auspices of LIMPAST through an established working partnership of ARC-GCI and LDA extension services. The study aimed at analysing the impact of the Grain Production Advancement Project on farmers’ production efficiency; and to determine factors that could have possibly affected the implementation of improved maize cultivars and essential maize production practices at farmer level. In essence, two important phenomena of the study are addressed: train-the-trainer, and also train the farmer. Through the GPAP project, farmer groups were formed and capacitated. Extension officers seconded to the project were also capacitated to implement the project through On-farm trials, Demonstrations and Farmer Field Schools. A combination of explorative and conceptual analytical techniques was used for data analysis. Explorative analysis was meant to present frequency analysis, and descriptive statistics. In conceptualization analysis, content analysis was used to confirm the descriptions of behaviour and content of documents. Three checklists were administered to respondents. The first checklist was used to ensure efficient group functioning of farmer groups, the second checklist was used to determine mobilisation of farmer groups and the third checklist determined the extent to which leader farmers implemented the training program for Aganang leader farmer group. A questionnaire was also used to determine extension officers’ perceptions on the following aspects: <ul> <li> Farmer participation;</li> <li> Implementation tools;</li> <li> Production efficiency; and</li> <li> Factors that led to poor implementation.</li> </ul> A Screening Instrument was used to predict the chances of the selected individual leader farmers from the Aganang district, to be successful in farming. Findings from the study indicate that 12 on-farm trials were successfully implemented and managed by extension staff and Farmer Field days were well attended in the first two seasons on the project. Farmer groups were formed and respondents revealed that the utmost reason for the formation of a group was to improve their maize production and to increase knowledge and skills. Only 33% of the groups have reached the task/performance stage of group effectiveness. The farmer groups performed on an average level due to the following reasons; there is still a dependency syndrome in farmer groups and a need to improve ownership acceptance by farmers. Extension respondents perceive that for a farmer group to perform efficiently the following needs to be in place: cohesiveness and teamwork, common goal, commitment, interest, self-reliance, participation and ownership. A total of 63% of small-scale farmers have only access to less than one (1) ha of arable land. Adoption of maize cultivars was to a moderate extent and 40% of farmers implemented the recommended farming practices to a great extent. The utmost farmer constraints that were attributed to farmers’ low implementation of farming practices included; drought, land shortage, financial support and labour shortage. However, there was a positive increase in the use of hybrid seed which also improved farmer’s maize productivity levels. In the Aganang municipality, a total of 20 leader farmers were selected for a leadership development program. Nineteen leader farmers completed a Screening Instrument to determine their chances to be successful in farming. The Screening Instrument revealed that only one (1) respondent had a 50% chance to be successful, and three respondents revealed a 26-49% chance to be successful. The Aganang leadership development program provided skills and knowledge to farmers and it was revealed that the leader farmers implemented the skills only to a moderate extent. Overall, the GPAP project had a positive impact on farmer’s productivity efficiency but there is need for a re-look at the project with special attention to the following: <ul> <li> Identification of high potential dry land production areas;</li> <li> The majority of farmer groups are too large and should be divided into smaller groups with clear, specific and measurable objectives; and</li> <li>Serious attention should be given to selected farmers with the best chance of success to participate in the project.</li></ul> Copyright / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

This study focused on analysing the production and marketing constraints that often prevent smallholder farmers from accessing high-value markets in the agribusiness value chain. Access to markets is an essential requirement for the poor in rural areas to enjoy the benefits of agricultural growth. Limited access to agricultural markets by smallholder farmers in rural areas represents one of the most important challenges confronting policymakers in developing countries. Several studies have indicated how smallholder farmers can be linked to markets, but they have failed to address issues of how to increase the likelihood of smallholder farmers benefiting from high-value markets. Due to the stringent sourcing criteria of formal markets, small-scale farmers are excluded from the agricultural value chains. It may be easy to access the market, but it is very difficult for smallholder farmers to retain that market. This is attributed to the fact that smallholder farmers face various constraints along the value chain such as production and marketing constraints. The main objective of this study was to identify and analyse the constraints confronting smallholder farmers in the Limpopo Province and to suggest different strategies that can be used to make it easier for smallholder farmers to access high-value markets in the agribusiness value chain. This was achieved through personal interviews in two districts, i.e. the Capricorn and Vhembe districts. Primary data was obtained through structured questionnaires in both districts. These two districts were chosen due to their uniqueness with regard to agricultural potential, with smallholder farmers in both districts being heterogeneous and confronting different constraints in producing and marketing their products. Producing for the market calls for production resources, including production means such as land, water, on-farm and off-farm infrastructure, labour force, capital, and good management of these resources. Poor access to these resources affects the way in which smallholder farmers can benefit from opportunities in agricultural markets, especially in terms of the volume of products traded and the quality and quantity of those products. Based on the surveys employed for purposes of this study, the participation of smallholder farmers in high-value markets is constrained as a result of poor access to comprehensive agricultural support services. There are relatively few direct linkages between smallholder farmers and fresh produce markets, supermarkets, and agro-processors. The majority of sales by farmers are at either the local market or the farm gate level. Few farmers have access to basic production equipment and infrastructure. A range of impediments to participation in high-value markets were identified. These include lack of access to sufficient and productive land for expansion, sufficient water, modern irrigation systems, mechanisation, transport logistics, and market information. These constraints constitute the greatest barrier for smallholder farmers when it comes to accessing high-value markets, and overcoming these constraints is critical if smallholder farmers are to access lucrative markets. There is relatively low participation among farmers in collective action, more especially at production and marketing levels. The study found that smallholder farmers in the Vhembe district have a comparative advantage in terms of vegetable production compared to those in the Capricorn district. Smallholder farmers in the Vhembe district are better linked to agro-processors, fresh-produce markets and supermarkets as compared to farmers in the Capricorn district – even though this is the case for only a few individual farmers. The study also found that individual producers have greater access to on-farm infrastructure and also perform better and have closer links to formal markets compared to projects owned by groups of households. The results of the study suggest that smallholder farmers who are currently not participating in high-value markets could improve their participation if they are given access to comprehensive agricultural support services. More attention must be given to supporting smallholder farmers in both districts to ensure that they engage in commercial production and participate in high-value markets on a sustainable basis. This could only happen if their constraints along the value chain are addressed. The major challenge confronting policymakers is to create an enabling environment for smallholder farmers and empower them to produce high volumes of good-quality products on a consistent and sustainable basis. / Dissertation (MInstAgrar)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted