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.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ul/oai:ulspace.ul.ac.za:10386/3963 |
| Date | January 2022 |
| Creators | Mashaphu, Lepharo Solly |
| Contributors | Belete, A., Senyolo, M. P. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | x, 80 leaves |
| Relation |
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