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Should subsistence agriculture be supported as a strategy to address rural food insecurity?

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  • Aliber, Michael
  • Hart, Tim G.B.

Abstract

At first glance South Africa’s black farming sector appears to contribute rather minimally to overall agricultural output in South Africa. However, despite the complexity involved in this sector and the often marginal conditions in which agriculture is practised it appears to be important to a large number of black households. Furthermore, the significance they attach to subsistence agriculture as means of supplementing household food supplies seems to heavily outweigh other reasons for engaging in agriculture. Some South African researchers have indicated the contribution subsistence production makes to household food security, despite the prevalent complexities and the low input nature of this production. Statistics South Africa’s Labour Force Survey data from 2001 to 2007 and a case study of subsistence farming in Limpopo Province are used to support the argument that, despite the complexity of this sector, the more than 4 million subsistence farmers, need and merit greater support. Such support should be based on the local context, build on and, where appropriate, improve existing local practices, while addressing various existing threats to this type of production. Recommendations are made as to what policy makers need to consider when considering how best to support subsistence production.

Suggested Citation

  • Aliber, Michael & Hart, Tim G.B., 2009. "Should subsistence agriculture be supported as a strategy to address rural food insecurity?," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 48(4), pages 1-25, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:agreko:58215
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.58215
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    Cited by:

    1. Shackleton, Ross T., 2020. "Loss of land and livelihoods from mining operations: A case in the Limpopo Province, South Africa," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    2. Wakeford, J. & Swilling, M., 2015. "Implications of increasing world oil scarcity for national food security in South Africa," International Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (IJAGST), SvedbergOpen, vol. 53(4), March.
    3. Otterbach, Steffen & Rogan, Michael, 2017. "Spatial differences in stunting and household agricultural production in South African: (re-)examining the links using national panel survey data," Hohenheim Discussion Papers in Business, Economics and Social Sciences 13-2017, University of Hohenheim, Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences.
    4. U. Chipfupa & E. Wale, 2020. "Linking earned income, psychological capital and social grant dependency: empirical evidence from rural KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) and implications for policy," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 9(1), pages 1-18, December.
    5. Ambagna, Jean Joël & Kane, Gilles Quentin & Oyekale Abayomi, Samuel, 2012. "Subsistence Farming and Food Security in Cameroon: A Macroeconomic Approach," MPRA Paper 62756, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2012.
    6. Otterbach, Steffen & Rogan, Michael, 2017. "Spatial Differences in Stunting and Household Agricultural Production in South Africa: (Re-)Examining the Links Using National Panel Survey Data," IZA Discussion Papers 11008, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    7. Pienaar, Louw & Traub, Lulama, 2015. "Understanding the smallholder farmer in South Africa: Towards a sustainable livelihoods classification," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 212633, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    8. Szirmai A. & Gebreeyesus M. & Guadagno F. & Verspagen B., 2013. "Promoting productive employment in Sub‐Saharan Africa : a review of the literature," MERIT Working Papers 2013-062, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    9. Sharaunga, Stanley & Mudhara, Maxwell, 2016. "Dimensions of Empowerment Influencing Women in KwaZulu-Natal to diversify away from agricultural-based livelihoods," International Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (IJAGST), SvedbergOpen, vol. 55(1-2), May.
    10. Busayo Oluwatayo, Isaac & Machethe, Tanya A. & Senyolo, Mmapatla P., 2016. "Profitability And Efficiency Analysis Of Smallholder Broiler Production In Mopani District Of Limpopo Province, South Africa," Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland, vol. 39(1).
    11. Lidzhegu, Zwidofhelangani & Kabanda, Tabaro, 2022. "Declining land for subsistence and small-scale farming in South Africa: A case study of Thulamela local municipality," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    12. Horman Chitonge, 2014. "Land Redistribution and Zero Hunger Programs: Can South Africa Reap a Triple Dividend?," Poverty & Public Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 6(4), pages 380-406, December.
    13. Dale Blair & Charlie M. Shackleton & Penelope J. Mograbi, 2018. "Cropland Abandonment in South African Smallholder Communal Lands: Land Cover Change (1950–2010) and Farmer Perceptions of Contributing Factors," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-20, October.
    14. Sheona Shackleton & Marty Luckert, 2015. "Changing Livelihoods and Landscapes in the Rural Eastern Cape, South Africa: Past Influences and Future Trajectories," Land, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-30, November.
    15. Stanley Sharaunga & Maxwell Mudhara, 2021. "Analysis of Livelihood Strategies for Reducing Poverty Among Rural Women's Households: A Case Study of KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(1), pages 127-150, January.
    16. Isaac Busayo Oluwatayo, & Matshidisho Annah Rachoene, 2017. "Effect Of Agricultural Commercialization On Food Security Among Smallholder Farmers In Polokwane Municipality, Capricorn District Of Limpopo Province, South Africa," Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland, vol. 43(1), March.
    17. Sinyolo, Sikhulumile & Mudhara, Maxwell & Wale, Edilegnaw, 2016. "To what extent does dependence on social grants affect smallholder farmers’ incentives to farm? Evidence from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 11(2), pages 1-12.
    18. Caroline Kathure Gatobu & Peter. I. Omboto & Pacifica Mining, 2021. "Socio-Economic Factors that Influence Household Food Security in West Pokot County, Kenya," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 5(5), pages 559-564, May.
    19. Lindumusa Myeni & Mokhele Moeletsi & Mulalo Thavhana & Mulalo Randela & Lebohang Mokoena, 2019. "Barriers Affecting Sustainable Agricultural Productivity of Smallholder Farmers in the Eastern Free State of South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-18, May.
    20. Nyathi, M.K. & Van Halsema, G.E. & Beletse, Y.G. & Annandale, J.G. & Struik, P.C., 2018. "Nutritional water productivity of selected leafy vegetables," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 111-122.
    21. Stanley Sharaunga, 2019. "The Effectiveness of Women's Skills Development to Household Poverty Reduction: The Case of Msinga Rural Areas," Poverty & Public Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 11(1-2), pages 73-98, July.
    22. S. Sharaunga & M. Mudhara, 2016. "The impact of improved ‘water-use security’ on women’s reliance on agricultural incomes in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 8(6), pages 1039-1052, December.
    23. Wegenast, Tim & Beck, Jule, 2020. "Mining, rural livelihoods and food security: A disaggregated analysis of sub-Saharan Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    24. Letty, Brigid & Shezi, Zanele & Mudhara, Maxwell, 2012. "An exploration of agricultural grassroots innovation in South Africa and implications for innovation indicator development," MERIT Working Papers 2012-023, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).

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