The role of small-scale agriculture in poverty reduction in Cezwana area Jozini Local Municipality (KZ 272), South Africa
Date
2017
Authors
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Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
Primary agriculture is an essential activity that ensures a supply of raw food material. This research study examined small-scale agricultural projects and their role in poverty reduction with particular reference to Cezwana area in Jozini, South Africa. Small-scale agriculture plays an important role in development in this area, not only in terms of income generation, but overall regional economic growth. The agricultural sector has significant potential to transform the Jozini economy. The study examined the possibilities for small-scale agricultural development in Cezwana area and drew on the relevant literature as a framework to understand the agricultural sector in relation to the strategies employed by the government to develop smallholder farms. While it is acknowledged that policies have been adopted to promote food security by ensuring a steady supply of raw food materials to the manufacturing sector, and to create jobs and income, the sector’s potential has yet to be realized. In order to assess the status-quo of small-scale agriculture in Cezwana area and its effect on poverty reduction, data were obtained from Cezwana Youth Cooperative Limited, Zamani Gardening, Isiqalosethu Gardening, and the Department of Agriculture (DoA) in Jozini Local Municipality. The study identified the major factors that constrain the development of small-scale farming and indeed the overall agricultural sector in Jozini such as the neglect of agriculture arising from dispersed zones, inadequate infrastructural facilities and extension services, a shortage of labour, a decline in the quality of land due to climate change, a lack of project management, and policy inconsistency, etc. It recommends the provision of supportive facilities to farmers, as well as transparent extension services, price stabilization and prioritizing and building small-scale agriculture to ensure that this sector takes its rightful place in South Africa’s economy and contributes to poverty reduction.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Development Studies in the Department of Anthropology and Development Studies at the University of Zululand, 2017
Keywords
small scale agriculture --poverty