Drivers of the level of market participation among smallholder urban vegetable farmers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Urban farming has gained significant recognition and interest in less developed countries as it has the potential to address challenges linked to rapid urbanization, unemployment, and food insecurity. This study aimed to determine the drivers of market participation and the level of market participa...

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Main Authors: P. N. Ndlovu, J. M. Thamaga-Chitja, Temitope Oluwaseun Ojo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Cogent Food & Agriculture
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2024.2437139
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author P. N. Ndlovu
J. M. Thamaga-Chitja
Temitope Oluwaseun Ojo
author_facet P. N. Ndlovu
J. M. Thamaga-Chitja
Temitope Oluwaseun Ojo
author_sort P. N. Ndlovu
collection DOAJ
description Urban farming has gained significant recognition and interest in less developed countries as it has the potential to address challenges linked to rapid urbanization, unemployment, and food insecurity. This study aimed to determine the drivers of market participation and the level of market participation among smallholder urban vegetable farmers in the Sobantu and Mphophomeni township areas. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to sample 156 smallholder urban vegetable farmers. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and a double-hurdle model. The results 18 indicated that out of a total of 156 smallholder farmers, 127 farmers were market participants and 29 were non-participants. The logistic model result indicated that market participation decision among smallholder urban farmers was significantly influenced by credit use (p = 0.004), free inputs (p = 0.096), access to market information (p = 0.001), access to labour (p = 0.014), and owning a smartphone (p = 0.083). Fractional response model results indicated that the level of market participation among smallholder urban vegetable farmers were significantly influenced by age (p = 0.093), cooperative membership (0.002), road condition (p = 0.001), storage (p = 0.016), and distance to input markets (0.069). The study concludes that market participation can be enhanced by increasing the market. information sources through market-empowered extension services and improved access to market information including through targeted radio, television, and the Facebook application. The study recommends urban agriculture policies and programs by various stakeholders that Strengthen market training activities and form farmer co-operatives to meet market requirements and improve market participation among smallholder urban farmers.
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spelling doaj-art-9fedd2bb5da24bdab5d536717b26f2d32024-12-13T09:52:54ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Food & Agriculture2331-19322024-12-0110110.1080/23311932.2024.2437139Drivers of the level of market participation among smallholder urban vegetable farmers in KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaP. N. Ndlovu0J. M. Thamaga-Chitja1Temitope Oluwaseun Ojo2African Centre for Food Security, School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, Scottsville, South AfricaAfrican Centre for Food Security, School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, Scottsville, South AfricaDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University, NigeriaUrban farming has gained significant recognition and interest in less developed countries as it has the potential to address challenges linked to rapid urbanization, unemployment, and food insecurity. This study aimed to determine the drivers of market participation and the level of market participation among smallholder urban vegetable farmers in the Sobantu and Mphophomeni township areas. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to sample 156 smallholder urban vegetable farmers. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and a double-hurdle model. The results 18 indicated that out of a total of 156 smallholder farmers, 127 farmers were market participants and 29 were non-participants. The logistic model result indicated that market participation decision among smallholder urban farmers was significantly influenced by credit use (p = 0.004), free inputs (p = 0.096), access to market information (p = 0.001), access to labour (p = 0.014), and owning a smartphone (p = 0.083). Fractional response model results indicated that the level of market participation among smallholder urban vegetable farmers were significantly influenced by age (p = 0.093), cooperative membership (0.002), road condition (p = 0.001), storage (p = 0.016), and distance to input markets (0.069). The study concludes that market participation can be enhanced by increasing the market. information sources through market-empowered extension services and improved access to market information including through targeted radio, television, and the Facebook application. The study recommends urban agriculture policies and programs by various stakeholders that Strengthen market training activities and form farmer co-operatives to meet market requirements and improve market participation among smallholder urban farmers.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2024.2437139Market participationurban farmingsmallholder farmersdouble-hurdle modelAgriculture & Environmental SciencesUrban Studies
spellingShingle P. N. Ndlovu
J. M. Thamaga-Chitja
Temitope Oluwaseun Ojo
Drivers of the level of market participation among smallholder urban vegetable farmers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Cogent Food & Agriculture
Market participation
urban farming
smallholder farmers
double-hurdle model
Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
Urban Studies
title Drivers of the level of market participation among smallholder urban vegetable farmers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
title_full Drivers of the level of market participation among smallholder urban vegetable farmers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
title_fullStr Drivers of the level of market participation among smallholder urban vegetable farmers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Drivers of the level of market participation among smallholder urban vegetable farmers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
title_short Drivers of the level of market participation among smallholder urban vegetable farmers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
title_sort drivers of the level of market participation among smallholder urban vegetable farmers in kwazulu natal south africa
topic Market participation
urban farming
smallholder farmers
double-hurdle model
Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
Urban Studies
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2024.2437139
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