The study aimed to evaluate the levels of participation of smallholder farmers in the agro-processing industries of Gauteng Province. The main objective was to determine the implications of participation or lack thereoffor the extension services, using an exploratory mixed sequential design. Four focus group sessions were conducted to account for qualitative data collection, and the survey data was gathered from three regions of Gauteng Province (West Rand, Pretoria, and Germiston). A sample of smallholder farmers (n=78) was purposively selected across the three regions to select participants. The results revealed that factors such as institutional design, condition of participation, and collaboration were critical in influencing these farmers. However, the results also revealed that leadership did not affect either of the levels of participation of these farmers. Therefore, these results suggest that the level ofparticipation in smallholder farming could be improved, should the influential factors be taken into consideration during the development planning of these farmers. It is recommended that strategic plans formulated by the supporting institutions consider these influential factors as the tools for the transformation of the agro-processing industries. These factors could stimulate participation by smallholder farmers in this sector.

This paper examines capacity building from the perspective of business growth and success in small-scale agro-processing enterprises. Our analytical approach was underpinned by the inability of small-scale agri-enterprises to grow and succeed despite the South African government's support for capacity building through the economic empowerment programme initiative in the past three decades. The study was conducted in five of nine selected South African provinces (Gauteng, Limpopo, North-West, Free State, and Mpumalanga). This study was essential for developing an effective strategy for enhancing agri-business growth and success in South Africa. A concurrent mixed-methods research design was used, and data from 503 small-scale agro-processors was analysed using descriptive and multiple regression analysis techniques. The results revealed that capacity building (β = 0.274, p = 0.000) significantly influences the economic empowerment of small-scale agro-processors. Furthermore, the study showed that mentorship and technical and financial skills are critical types of capacity building that influence the economic empowerment of small-scale agro-processors in South Africa. It is recommended that all government or private stakeholders, including agricultural extension advisory services, invest in capacity-building programmes for small-scale agro-processors to achieve economic empowerment. Economically empowered small-scale agro-processors will significantly contribute to employment creation and better income distribution.

This study examined the impact of government funding on food security for subsistence farming, communities, households, and smallholder farmers in Frances Baard Municipality. Food insecurity has been a global phenomenon that has been on the increase since 2015, and it is thought to be a result of growing conflict, pandemic, and climate-related shocks. The analysis methods employed in this study were mainly cluster and discriminant analysis (DA). Simple random sampling techniques were used to select 533 farmers. The cluster analysis results reveal that Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) occupies the highest rank, followed by a Poverty Relief Programme and Land Restitution programme. In contrast, discriminant analysis (DA) results show that an Agricultural Starter Pack Programme is highly likely to increase the impact of food security in households when other interventions are held constant. The study concludes that to improve the food security of the Frances Baard Municipal District, the government should consistently improve the performance of these programmes. To improve the performance of these programmes, it is therefore recommended that the following programmes be resourced: the Agricultural Starter Pack Programme, Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), Poverty Relief Programme (PRP), and Food Parcel Scheme (FPS).

The main reason cited for the low participation rate in indexed insurance in Africa is the lack of farmers’ involvement in the initial conception. The main aim of this article was, therefore, to design an improved participatory methodology that would help farmers in South Africa gather information on the value they place in new crop insurance initiatives based on weather indices. The main objective of this study was to determine their willingness to pay (WTP) crop insurance in the Eastern Cape. The study adopted a cross-sectional design, and the respondents were selected by using a probability sampling procedure. A sample of 150 respondents was selected. The results from descriptive statistics showed that 62% of the smallholder irrigation scheme farmers were between 52 and above years of age, male and female: 87% and 13%, respectively. The results from the probit model revealed that out of nine variables included in the model, only four namely, logAge square, gender, marital status and age were significantly influencing the WTP index-based crop insurance at 1%, 5% and 10%, respectively. However, age was found to reduce the chances of participating in crop-based insurance. A large proportion of those who were willing to pay insurance had not previously experienced losses because of natural hazards. Therefore, it recommended that the government should use existing extension officers to educate the farmers and promote the importance and benefits of insurance products. Contribution: The results are expected to contribute to the local government to improve disaster resilience through strengthening regional financial funding.

This study examines food purchasing behavior among rural households in South Africa post-lockdown restrictions and the socio-demographic factors influencing these behaviors. Primary data were collected from 327 households in Mokgolobotho village through face-to-face interviews, using simple random sampling. A Likert scale, Chi-square analysis, and an Ordered Probit model were employed for the analysis. The findings indicate that most households purchased food more frequently post-lockdown, with fresh produce, dairy, snacks, fast food, prepared food, and alcoholic beverages purchased more often. Household size, employment sector, brand loyalty, and market preference reduced the likelihood of monthly purchases while increasing the probability of frequent shopping. Conversely, gender, education level, employment status, SRD grant, savings behavior, advertisement, and market distance increased the likelihood of monthly purchases while reducing frequent shopping. These findings highlight the need for retailers to ensure affordability, accessibility, and consumer trust, while policies improving financial security, employment stability, market access, and consumer education can enhance food access and promote sustainable purchasing behavior.

To achieve the FAO's goals of increasing global agricultural productivity and soybean production by 2050, understanding small-scaler farmers' perceptions of the sustainability of soybean production is crucial. This study involved a sample size of 204 participants, randomly selected from a population of 433. Correlation and regression analyses assessed small-scale farmers' perceptions of factors affecting soybean production sustainability in Nkangala District Municipality in Mpumalanga Province. This was achieved by examining the influence of participants' perceived factors and attitudes towards soybean production's sustainability. The inferential findings revealed that farming, economic, extension and education, social, and policymaking factors affected participants' perceived attitudes towards the sustainability of soybean production in the study area. This suggests that any unit increase in these factors is associated with an increased probability of the participants' perceived attitudes towards the sustainability of soybean production. Future studies may focus on socioeconomic factors affecting participant's perceived attitudes towards the sustainability of soybean production. The paper concludes by recommending that these factors should be considered by the government and policymakers when implementing programs to improve soybean sustainability through the inclusion of small-scale farmers.