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A cluster analysis of commercialisation of farmers in developing rural areas of South Africa

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  • Moraka Makhura
  • Frank Goode
  • Gerhard Coetzee

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to classify farmers in developing rural areas according to their commercial orientation and to evaluate their distinguishing characteristics. Farmers in these areas use both farm and non-farm activities to commercialise to some degree. The aim of the commercialisation strategy is to generate income for acquiring other basic goods and services. A cluster analysis of 392 households surveyed in 1987 in the former KaNgwane identified seven groups of farming households: very low commercial households, moderately commercial households, high agricultural commercial households, livestock commercial households, non-farm income households, non-farm and agricultural commercial households and highly commercial households. The characteristics of four of these groups were investigated further. The current status of the commercialisation process suggests several policy directions: food security programmes should be aimed at those lacking resources, who may also be threatened by food shortages; emerging farmers with limited resources should be encouraged to diversify their income-generating activities - they should be given support (including access to land, markets, credit and management) to encourage them to prosper; and the progressive farmers require enhanced programmes to sustain their competitiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Moraka Makhura & Frank Goode & Gerhard Coetzee, 1998. "A cluster analysis of commercialisation of farmers in developing rural areas of South Africa," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(3), pages 429-448.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:deveza:v:15:y:1998:i:3:p:429-448
    DOI: 10.1080/03768359808440023
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. von Braun, Joachim & Haen, Hartwig de & Blanken, Juergen, 1991. "Commercialization of agriculture under population pressure: effects on production, and nutrition in Rwanda," Research reports 85, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
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    Cited by:

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    2. Delali Dovie & E. Witkowski & Charlie Shackleton, 2005. "Monetary valuation of livelihoods for understanding the composition and complexity of rural households," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 22(1), pages 87-103, March.
    3. Wynne, Adrian T. & Lyne, Michael C., 2003. "Rural Economic Growth Linkages and Small Scale Poultry Production: A Survey of Poultry Producers in KwaZulu-Natal," 2003 Annual Conference, October 2-3, 2003, Pretoria, South Africa 19095, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA).
    4. Dovie, Delali B. K. & Witkowski, E. T. F. & Shackleton, Charlie M., 2003. "Direct-use value of smallholder crop production in a semi-arid rural South African village," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 76(1), pages 337-357, April.
    5. van Averbeke, W. & Mohamed, S.S., 2006. "Smallholder farming styles and development policy in South Africa: The case of Dzindi Irrigation Scheme," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 45(2), pages 1-22, June.
    6. Wynne, Adrian T. & Lyne, Michael C., 2004. "Rural economic growth linkages and small scale poultry production: A survey of producers in KwaZulu-Natal," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 43(1), pages 1-21, March.
    7. Horman Chitonge, 2013. "Land Use and Rural Livelihoods in South Africa: Emerging Evidence from the Eastern Cape," Agrarian South: Journal of Political Economy, Centre for Agrarian Research and Education for South, vol. 2(1), pages 1-40, April.
    8. Phiri, Isaac, 2020. "The effect of access to finance on commercialisation of smallholder maize farmers in Eswatini," Research Theses 334755, Collaborative Masters Program in Agricultural and Applied Economics.
    9. Atkinson, D. & Buscher, B., 2006. "Municipal commonage and implications for land reform: A profile of commonage users in Philippolis, Free State, South Africa," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 45(4), pages 1-30, December.

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