Browsing by Author "Mbatha, Mfaniseni Wiseman"

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    Modernisation of small-scale farming as a strategy to improve rural economic development in uMzinyathi District Municipality
    (University of Zululand, 2023) Mbatha, Mfaniseni Wiseman; Mdiniso J. M.
    ABSTRACT The overarching aim of the study was to investigate the experiences of farmers on the modernisation of small-scale farming as a strategy to improve rural economic development in the uMzinyathi District. The study employed a qualitative approach with explorative research design. This has been used to determine more detailed feelings, opinions, and experiences of participants with regard to their participation in small-scale farming and rural economic development. The target population consisted of small-scale farming cooperatives (1), municipal officials (1 and consisted of 5 participants per focus group discussion), ward councillors (1) from each local municipality and extension officers (2) from the only one available district department. The overall sample size of the study was fifty (50) participants. These participants were sampled through the use of both convenience (small-scale farmers and small-scale farming cooperatives) and purposive (government officials) non-probability sampling methods. The in-depth interviews, participant observations, and focus group discussions were used to collect primary data from these participants, while documental analysis was used to collect secondary data. The process of data presentation and analysis was undertaken through the use of thematic analysis and NVivo version 11. The critical aspects of the findings show that farmers relied more on the traditional methods of farming and partially integrated them with the modern methods of farming. The lack of technological use and poor infrastructural development were reported as the main problems that obstruct the modernisation of farming within the study area. The findings further confirmed the existence of the dualistic economies within the study area. However, small-scale farming is mostly associated with the Second Economy, which is dominated by people who undertake agricultural-related informal economic activities. The labour force in this economy is not covered or protected by any job security because of the lack of policies that guide the operation of small-scale farming. This study recommends that the government at all levels must develop a supporting strategy to prioritise small-scale farming. The government approach to the establishment of a sectoral support strategy must include the provision of input services and infrastructural facilities, more especially in areas where small-scale farmers are wholly directed to undertake agricultural activities.
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    The sustainability of agricultural projects in enhancing rural economic development in Msinga local municipality
    (University of Zululand, 2019) Mbatha, Mfaniseni Wiseman
    The South African government’s target was to ensure a significant growth in rural economies through appropriate prioritisation of the agricultural sector. This study analyses the sustainability of agricultural projects in enhancing rural economic development in Msinga Local Municipality. This study employed mixed methods approach with a convergent parallel design to analyse the sustainability of agricultural projects toward enhancing rural economic development. The participants of this study consisted of households (n=180), key informants (n=6) and focus groups (n=5). Data were collected through the use of document analysis, questionnaires, focus group discussion and semi-structured interviews. Content analysis and SPSS with descriptive statistics and cross tabulation were used to analyse and categorise the data in order to obtain the objectives of the study. The study found that there is high level of community participation in subsistence agricultural sector within the study area. However, subsistence agriculture has shown to be unsustainable due to low productivity caused by adverse climate change conditions. Some aspects of the results specified that MLM is mostly dominated by subsistence farming. Subsistence farming is facing challenges that puts its sustainability in jeopardy. While on the one hand subsistence farming sector does not allow farmers to sell their produce to the market. On the other hand, it usually serves as a source of ensuring food availability at a household level. The issue of climate change have a negative impact on the productivity of agricultural projects due to the inadequate rainfall and water scarcity for irrigation. The deficiency in infrastructural services has turned to be a constraint to small scale farmers in their quest to access the market. There is poor availability of transport facilities and market place where farmers can sell their produce. The results also showed that lack of skills, knowledge and information amongst farmers is a problem that destructively impacts on the ability of agriculture to contribute in improving rural economic development. It is recommended that the Department of Agriculture provides adequate training to assist rural small scale farmers in order to maintain the sustainability of agricultural projects. The study also recommends that both local municipality and Department of vii Agriculture should motivate subsistence farmers to engage in agricultural activities as corporations, so that these farmers cannot struggle in scouting financial resources. Lastly, further research should analyse challenges that constrain the transformation of rural subsistence farming sector to reach the level of small scale farming sector.