African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security Vol. 1 (5), pp. 093-099, November, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Socio-economic factors affecting smallholder farming and household food security: A case of Thulamela local municipality in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa

S. A. Oni¹*, L. L. Maliwichi² and O. S. Obadire³

¹Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, School of Agriculture, University of Venda, South Africa.

²Department of Family Ecology and Consumer Science, School of Agriculture, University of Venda, South Africa.

³Centre for Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation, School of Agriculture, University of Venda, South Africa.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: (+27) 015 962 8629. Fax: (+27) 015 962 8598.

Accepted 26 August, 2013

Abstract

Most smallholder farmers in the Thulamela local municipality of the Vhembe District have failed to achieve food security in spite of considerable investment in agriculture by the South African government. Many of the programmes failed before they even took off due to some socio-economic constraints. Hence, this study was designed to establish the determinants of household food security and identify critical factors that can be adopted by smallholder farmers in addressing the problems of household food insecurity. A sample of 41 smallholder farmers were randomly selected to participate in the research work using simple random sampling techniques from a list of 120 agricultural projects obtained from the Agricultural Service Centre of Thohoyandou. Structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from the respondents. The study revealed that about 73% of the respondents do not eat the type of food they prefer while 15% of households experienced a worst situation scenario in form of not having enough food to eat. The study finding underscores the need to create an enabling environment for smallholder farmers to improve their levels of productivity through appropriate government policies and strategies and the beneficiaries of government initiatives should be involved in the planning and implementation. Government initiatives need to focus on planning and implementation of smallholder farming, infrastructure/technology development and making land available for smallholder farming.

Key words: Household food security, smallholder farming, poverty, rural livelihood.

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security Vol. 1 (1), pp. 021-029, July, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Review

A review of the possibilities of alleviating poverty and food insecurity challenges in South Africa through agricultural cooperatives

Boyana T* and Tshuma MC.

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, School of Agriculture and Agri-Business, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice, 5700, South Africa.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Fax: 0866369187.

Accepted 29 April, 2013

Abstract

The issue of food insecurity and poverty has been a critical one since the dawn of democracy in South Africa. With the World Bank also, having set the 2014 target of halving poverty in developing countries, the South African government has found itself with a task of finding ways of contributing towards meeting this target. One approach that has been proposed by many as the best vehicle for addressing these challenges particularly in the rural areas has been that of channeling resources towards the uplifting of the smallholder agricultural sector. In addition to this, there is evidence that smallholder farmers can actually perform better if they pool their resources together and work as cooperatives. This paper therefore seeks to provide evidence of the importance of using cooperatives to empower smallholder farmers in an attempt to reduce poverty and food insecurity in South Africa. It further highlights the various challenges that need to be addressed to allow cooperatives to reach their full potential. The paper concludes by suggesting a few interventions that could be implemented in order to boost the smallholder farming sector’s cooperatives with the hope of helping the nation reduce its poverty levels and become more food secure.

Key words: Poverty alleviation, food security, agricultural cooperatives, smallholder agricultural sector, job creation.

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security Vol. 1 (3), pp. 068-074, September, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Gender discrimination in Agricultural land access: Implications for food security in Ondo State, Nigeria

A. G. Adekola¹, F. O. Adereti²*, G. F. Koledoye² and P. T. Owombo³

¹Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria. ²Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

³Department of Agricultural Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 31 May, 2013

Abstract

This study assessed gender discrimination in agricultural land access: Implications for food security in Ondo State Nigeria. Specifically, it analysed men and female accessibility to forms of land holding and the factors affecting agricultural land accessibility in the study area. Multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 240 respondents used for this study. Data collected were summarized using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages and correlation analysis was used to test the hypothesis stated. The results revealed that the mean age of the male respndents was 48.3 while that of female was 43.7 with the standard deviation of 14.9 and 11.3, respectively. Also, at p ≤ 0.05, there was significant relationship between accessibility to agricultural land and male and female socio-economic characteristics such as age (r = 0.484), marital status (r = 0.568), farm size (r = 0.504), farming experience (r = 0.479), household (r = -0.668), access to credit facility (r = 0.476), and membership of social organization (r = 0.593). This study therefore concluded that gender differentials, especially with regards to land favour the males. It is therefore recommended that redesigning and redeveloping the structure of land policies to be more gender sensitive and inclusive.

Key words: Gender, land acess, food security, correlation, discrimination.

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security Vol. 1 (2), pp. 043-048, September, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effective extension methods for increased food production in Kakamega District

Adijah M. Ali-Olubandwa¹*, N. J. Kathuri², Timothy E. O. Wesonga³

¹Department of Applied Community Studies and Extension, Egerton University, Kenya.

²Department of Agricultural Education and Extension, Egerton University, Kenya.

³East Africa Community, Arusha, Tanzania.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 9 April, 2013

Abstract

Despite the importance of agriculture to Kenya's economy, the Kenya government's budgetary allocation to the sector has declined over the years. This resulted in the sector being resource constrained with a high farmer to staff ratio, hence the need for extension methods that can effectively reach more clients at the lowest cost. This paper reviews effective extension methods which have the least constraints and most cost effective that can be used by extension staff in Kakamega district. Kakamega district experiences low food production, despite the fact that it is one of Kenya's food baskets. One hundred extension staffs were systematically sampled from the department of livestock and the department of agriculture from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, cross tabulations, correlations and Chi-square. The research revealed that group demonstrations were the most cost effective extension methods with the least constraints. The study therefore recommended that group demonstrations and a combination of group demonstration and individual farmer follow-up be used to pass extension methods in Kakamega district.

Key words: Extension methods, food production, Kenya, Kakamega district, extension service.

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security Vol. 1 (3), pp. 060-067, September, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Analysis of maize production and supply for food security improvement in the Borgou region in Northeast of Benin

Afouda Jacob Yabi*, Silvère Dansinou Tovignan and Rassidatou Moustafa

Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, BP 123, Parakou, Benin Republic.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected].Tel: (00) 229 90025779 / 97320856.

Accepted 17 May, 2013

Abstract

The analysis of maize production and supply in Borgou region was conducted using data collected from 186 producers of maize. The analysis was done by commonly using means comparison tests and a multiple regression model. It comes out from this analysis that only 20.44% of the production is self-consumed, against 79.56% supplied on the market. Also, when the maize cultivated areas increase by 1%, its supply raises by 0.15%. As well, the use of mineral fertilizer and plough and/or tractor induces an increase by 65.86% in the supplied quantity. In contrast, the difficulties of access to production factors have a negative impact on the maize supply and the producers who are men supply 35.4% of maize quantity less than the women. Thereby, it is important that agricultural policies focus on easing access to production factors to widen the cultivated areas for more maize quantity to be supplied.

Key words: Production, supply, maize, regression, Borgou.