Analysis of marketing channels used by smallholder crop farmers in Vryheid (Abaqulusi) Municipality, Kwazulu-Natal

dc.contributor.advisorObi, Ajuruchukwuen
dc.contributor.authorNtshangase, Muziwandile Giften
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-28T10:31:05Z
dc.date.available2026-07-28T10:31:05Z
dc.date.issued2014en
dc.description.abstractA total of 120 structured questionnaires were administered to analyse marketing channels used by smallholder crop farmers, at Abaqulusi Municipality, Vryheid and KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa. Research methodology consisted of research design, sample frame, sampling procedure, data collection and data analysis which were used in the study. Descriptive statistics analysis was used, where frequencies and percentages of the variables were indicated. Variables which were measured included demographic socio-economic profile of survey household heads where age, marital status, educational level, occupation other than farming, land ownership, household size and gender of the household heads.The results show that the statistically significant variables (gender, household size) at 5% level positively affect smallholder crop farmers’ access to market information, expertise on grades and standards, availability of contractual agreements, existence of extensive social capital, availability of good market infrastructure, group participation and reliance on tradition. These findings suggest that an adjustment in each one of the significant variables can significantly influence the probability of participation in either formal or informal marketing, and hence their marketing channels. In the light of the foregoing research findings, several policy options were suggested. These include encouraging collective action, promotion of contract farming, ensuring the availability of market information to all farmers, encouraging value addition and investment in rural infrastructure.en
dc.formatpdfen
dc.format105 leaves; 30 cmen
dc.identifier.citationNtshangase, Muziwandile Gift. 2014en
dc.identifier.othervital:11222en
dc.identifier.otherhttp://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019823en
dc.identifier.otherAgriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natalen
dc.identifier.otherMarketing channels -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natalen
dc.identifier.otherFarm management -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natalen
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11837/4229
dc.language.isoEnglishen
dc.publisherUniversity of Fort Hareen
dc.publisherFaculty of Science & Agricultureen
dc.rightsUniversity of Fort Hareen
dc.subjectAgriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natalen
dc.subjectMarketing channels -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natalen
dc.subjectFarm management -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natalen
dc.titleAnalysis of marketing channels used by smallholder crop farmers in Vryheid (Abaqulusi) Municipality, Kwazulu-Natalen
dc.title.alternativeAnalysis of marketing channels used by smallholder crop farmers in Vryheid (Abaqulusi) Municipality, Kwazulu-Natalen
dc.typeThesisen
dc.typeMastersen
dc.typeMSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)en

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
vital_11222+SOURCEPDF+SOURCEPDF.0.pdf
Size:
1.29 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format