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What factors determine household food security among smallholder farmers? Insights from Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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  • Mbongeni Maziya
  • Maxwell Mudhara
  • Joyce Chitja

Abstract

Food insecurity persists in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Guidelines are required to inform the formulation of programmes dealing with this challenge. Literature identifies various factors, such as agricultural skills, as key determinants of household food security. This study examines linkages between agricultural skills and household food security in farming households of the Tugela Ferry irrigation scheme in the Msinga Local Municipality. Data was collected from a random sample of 250 farming households by means of a structured questionnaire. A Tobit regression model was employed to examine the determinants of household food security. The study found that factors like household size, marital status, education level, gender, total livestock units, household income, farming experience, credit use and competence levels in fertiliser measurement have the potential to reduce household food insecurity. The study concludes that provision of agricultural skills may improve households’ food security and that interventions may improve smallholder farming productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Mbongeni Maziya & Maxwell Mudhara & Joyce Chitja, 2017. "What factors determine household food security among smallholder farmers? Insights from Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa," Agrekon, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(1), pages 40-52, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:ragrxx:v:56:y:2017:i:1:p:40-52
    DOI: 10.1080/03031853.2017.1283240
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    2. Hussain, Intizar & Wijerathna, Deeptha, 2004. "Irrigation and income-poverty alleviation: a comparative analysis of irrigation systems in developing Asia," IWMI Research Reports H036165, International Water Management Institute.
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    2. Kumar, Anjani & Sonkar, Vinay K. & S., Aditya K., 2021. "Food Security – Status and Determinants – during the Covid-19 Lockdown: Evidence from Primary Survey in Eastern India," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315344, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    3. Sandile Mthethwa & Edilegnaw Wale, 2021. "Household Vulnerability to Food Insecurity in Rural South Africa: Evidence from a Nationally Representative Survey Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-17, February.
    4. Sayed Alim Samim & Zhiquan Hu & Sebastian Stepien & Sayed Younus Amini & Ramin Rayee & Kunyu Niu & George Mgendi, 2021. "Food Insecurity and Related Factors among Farming Families in Takhar Region, Afghanistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-17, September.
    5. Qhelile Ntombikayise Bhebhe & Mjabuliseni S. C. Ngidi & Muthulisi Siwela & Temitope O. Ojo & Simphiwe Innocentia Hlatshwayo & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2023. "The Contribution of Trees and Green Spaces to Household Food Security in eThekwini Metro, KwaZulu-Natal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-15, March.
    6. Nolwazi Zanele Khumalo & Melusi Sibanda, 2019. "Does Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Contribute to Household Food Security? An Assessment of the Food Security Status of Households in Tongaat, eThekwini Municipality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-24, February.
    7. Tuyen Quang Tran & Huong Van Vu, 2021. "The impact of land fragmentation on food security in the North Central Coast, Vietnam," Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 8(2), pages 327-345, May.
    8. Veronica Mwangi & Samuel Owuor & Boniface Kiteme & Markus Giger & Johanna Jacobi & Oliver Kirui, 2020. "Linking Household Food Security and Food Value Chains in North West Mt. Kenya," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-15, June.
    9. Kwabena Nyarko Addai & John N. Ng’ombe & Omphile Temoso, 2022. "Food Poverty, Vulnerability, and Food Consumption Inequality Among Smallholder Households in Ghana: A Gender-Based Perspective," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 163(2), pages 661-689, September.
    10. Rudzani Mudzielwana & Paramu Mafongoya & Maxwell Mudhara, 2022. "An Analysis of the Determinants of Irrigation Farmworkers’ Food Security Status: A Case of Tshiombo Irrigation Scheme, South Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-14, July.
    11. Agnieszka Poczta-Wajda & Agnieszka Sapa & Sebastian Stępień & Michał Borychowski, 2020. "Food Insecurity among Small-Scale Farmers in Poland," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-24, July.
    12. Wencong Lu & Kwabena Nyarko Addai & John N. Ng'ombe, 2021. "Impact of improved rice varieties on household food security in Northern Ghana: A doubly robust analysis," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 342-359, March.
    13. Thobani Cele & Maxwell Mudhara, 2022. "Impact of Market Participation on Household Food Security among Smallholder Irrigators in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-13, February.

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