Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is substantial evidence supported by literature that many smallholder farmers can benefit
from agricultural markets and commercialisation. This research examines the challenges and
constraints that smallholder farmers have to deal with in the study area and what needs to be done
to overcome the barriers to market access. An argument was made that identification of these
barriers could lead to the necessary interventions and assist in institutional innovation to alleviate
market constraints and challenges faced by smallholder farmers.
The qualitative approach was deemed appropriate and entailed the face to face method in the
collection of data through the use of structured questionnaires. Smallholder farmers in Tembisa,
involved in the production and marketing of specific agricultural commodities were visited to
investigate the challenges and constraints facing them. The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s
database of smallholder farmers was used to access the smallholder farmers involved in the
production of selected vegetables in Tembisa.
The study revealed that access to land, access to agricultural inputs, access to credit, market
information, infrastructure and farmer support services were barriers to market participation. The
lack or limited access to these resources will affect the manner in which smallholder farmers
benefit from the opportunities available in the agricultural markets in respect of the quality and
quantity of the agricultural produce.
Whilst the fresh produce market and supermarkets in the area have extended a hand of
cooperation and business relationship with smallholder farmers, there is currently no formal
existing relationship since they are unable to exploit those opportunities due to their inability to
comply with the required standards set by the market. Most of their produce is sold at the farm
gate, local community and to the hawkers.
It is expected that addressing such barriers may create enabling conditions that would encourage
smallholder farmers to access and participate more effectively in markets. Such efforts could
improve the ability of smallholder farmers to become part of the mainstream or commercial
agricultural economy. Some barriers and constraints require direct intervention by government and
policy makers have to institute agricultural policy reforms to incorporate smallholder farmers within
large scale agriculture.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/97292 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Raphela, Maropeng Gilmore Matthias |
| Contributors | Volschenk, Jako, Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Graduate School of Business. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | xi, 78 pages |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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