Browsing by Author "Mdoda, Lelethu"

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    Assessing the Venturing of Rural and Peri-Urban Youth into Micro- and Small-Sized Agricultural Enterprises in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
    (MDPI, 2023-10-31) Thibane, Zintle; Mdoda, Lelethu; Gidi, Lungile; Mayekiso, Anele
    This study aimed to empirically assess the venturing by rural and peri-urban youth into micro- and small-sized agricultural enterprises in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The aim of the study was achieved by focusing on the following specific objectives: analyzing youth involvement in agricultural enterprises; estimating the factors that influence youth participation in micro- and small-sized agricultural enterprises; and identifying constraints and opportunities for youth involvement in micro- and small-sized agricultural enterprises in the Eastern Cape Province. The study used multi-stage and snowballing sampling to select the respondents, and cross-sectional primary data were collected from 120 youths who ventured into micro- and small-sized agricultural enterprises. Only 70 youths from the sample participated in agricultural enterprises. The study was geared toward proposing a funding framework aligned with the characteristics of small- and micro-sized enterprises (SMEs) which can be used by both development finance institutions (DFIs) and commercial banks to assess applications for funding SMEs.
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    Farmers’ awareness of climate change and variability and it’s effects on agricultural productivity: (the case of King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality in Eastern Cape)
    (University of Fort Hare, 2015) Mdoda, Lelethu
    Climate is an important factor of agricultural productivity and many rural dwellers in developing countries depend on agriculture and are highly affected by climate change and variability. The world is currently experiencing climatic changes and variability conditions which results in high temperatures, low rainfall patterns, shortage of water and drought persistence. Climate change and variability is affecting weather patterns and shifting seasons which results in serious repercussions on smallholder farmers. Smallholder farmers are extremely vulnerable to climate change and variability because their farming and production systems are climate sensitive and are not rebound to climate stresses. These adverse effects in developing countries arise from different climate change and variability-related causes, notable extreme weather events, food security, increased health risks in agriculture from vector home diseases, and temperature-related morbidity in environments. The study was carried in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. This study examines farmers’ awareness of climate change and variability and its effects on agricultural productivity in King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality using a Descriptive Statistics, Binary and Ricardian Model fitted to data from a cross-sectional survey of 200 farmers in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality. Both primary and secondary data was used. This research study estimates the effects of climate change and variability on King Sabata Dalindyebo agricultural productivity using a continental dimension of Ricardian analysis. Results revealed that local farmers were aware of climate change and variability and perceived changes in average temperatures and rainfall. The changes in average temperatures and rainfall had adverse effects on crop and livestock production. However, farmers’ awareness of climate change is not to an extent that they presume adaptation to climate change as a necessity and crucial. The results show that climate change and variability affects farm income and there is a non-linear relationship existing between climatic variables (temperature and precipitation) and farm income which depicts U-shaped. The study results indicated that climate change and variability affect agricultural productivity and have an effect on agricultural productivity in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality. In view of the research findings, several policy proposals are suggested. The study findings suggest that climate change and variability must be taken seriously and monitored. Policy makers and government officials must support farmers with information distribution, education, market access, well trained extension agents, credit and information about mitigation strategies to climate change and variability which includes institutional and technological methods, particularly smallholder farmers.