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The objective of the study was to assess the determinants of the utilization of digital technologies by smallholder farmers in South Africa. A cross-sectional survey of 250 smallholder farmers was purposively sampled from Port St Johns and Ingquza Hill Local Municipalities. Binary and ordered logistic regression were used to analyse the data. The results show that 55% of the smallholder farmers were using digital technologies. Out of these, 40% were using smartphones and radio. Close to 47% of the smallholder farmers who were using digital technologies were using them to some extent and 65% had been using digital technologies for a period of 1–4 years. 89% of the smallholder farmers using digital technologies indicated that they are beneficial and 83% had opted to continue using digital technologies to increase their skills and knowledge. However, 44% of the smallholder farmers who had opted to discontinue the use of digital technologies indicated that these technologies were not beneficial for them. Overall, 85% of the smallholder farmers would recommend the use of digital technologies to other farmers. Factors such as age, educational level, marital status, full-time farming, and land size affected the utilization of digital technologies while age, marital status, educational level, full-time farming, household size, non-crop producing, and tenure affected the extent of digital technology utilization. The study concludes that the partial utilization of low-tech digital technologies is a socio-economic driver. Recommendations include the promotion of digital technologies, especially high-tech technologies, taking into account the socio-economic circumstances of smallholder farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is an important sector in Zimbabwe's economy. More than 70% of the population are smallholders relying on agriculture. To support agriculture, Zimbabwe's government introduced a Targeted Command Agriculture Programme (TCAP), in terms of which the state provides production inputs like seeds, fertilisers, protection chemicals, and extension services. In turn, the farmer is expected to produce 5 tonnes of maize per hectare for the Grain Marketing Board. The cost of inputs that the state provided is then deducted from the 5-tonne maize yield, and the farmer is paid the balance. Numerous authors have studied the design of TCAP and its impact on farmers. However, only a few have focused on the determinants of participation, especially with an empirical basis and in the Mutare District. To bridge this knowledge gap, this study implements a double-hurdle model to determine factors influencing farmers' participation in Zimbabwe's TCAP using a sample of 350 farmers. The study found that gender, family size, farmer type, command agriculture education, and distance from the market influenced smallholder farmers' participation in TCAP. Therefore, policymakers should consider these factors to improve the design of the programme and enhance the participation of smallholder farmers in it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The significance of rangelands to the welfare of the rural poor has been acknowledged. The study explores perceptions and determinants of rural households' rangeland harvesting. A cross-sectional survey of 159 rural households harvesting communal rangeland products was utilized, as well as 64 non-harvesting households. The sample was purposively selected. Dyamala community in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province was the study area, and was also purposively selected. Questionnaires were the data collection tool utilized, aiming at data on demographics, perceptions and participation in rangeland harvesting. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were utilized to analyze the data. The study found that among the rangeland harvesters there was a high positive perception of rangelands in terms of recreation and tourism, storm protection, nutrient retention as well as provision of wild fruit. However, the rangeland harvesters also exhibited negative perceptions towards factors such as the hosting of predators and deity. The decision to participate in rangeland product harvesting was influenced by the age of household head as well as perceptions pertaining to rangelands as a source of medicinal plants, recreation and ecotourism, deep-water wells, storm protection, micro-climate stabilization, income and wild fruit. The study recommends the provision of extension-based training in sustainably utilizing rangelands as a source of income, food and nutrition. Ecotourism can also be promoted as this dualistically and sustainably incorporates rangeland harvesting and income generation from wildlife. Promotion of indigenous knowledge, especially in medicinal plants, may dualistically improve income and health from harvesting such flora as well as enhancing conservation of these vital plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to determine factors influencing participation decisions in the Agricultural Research Council's Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) Scheme in South Africa. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect data on socio-economic and institutional factors, as well as KyD Scheme participation decisions. The sample comprised 164 KyD Scheme participants and 81 non-participants from KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape and Limpopo provinces. Data were analyzed utilizing probit, tobit and ordered probit models. Results showed that various socio-economic and institutional factors significantly determined decisions to participate, extent of participation and continuation of Scheme practices. Specifically, expenditure on stock feed and frequency of extension visits were the major significant factors impacting all decisions on participation, extent of participation and willingness to practise experiences learnt from being part of the KyD Scheme. The study recommends that participation in the Scheme and the extent of participation can be enhanced through increasing awareness of the Scheme at various points where stock feeds are available to farmers. Furthermore, enhanced cooperation with extension workers will provide a conduit for improving awareness of the Scheme and enhance participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The argument on whether organic agriculture can produce enough food to cater for the world's growing population has been debated severally by various scholars. While organic farming is rapidly increasing, the paramount question is to know how organic farming can yield to viable systems of producing food. This paper aims to identify the benefits and context reliant performance of organic farming as a development trail to sustainable farming. Gathering of articles from different peer review journals was used to develop this paper. The findings of this paper show that organic farming has many potential benefits including higher biodiversity, improved soil, and enhanced profitability as well as supporting local production, with locally produced source inputs. The findings also show that organic farming is environmentally friendly, promotes distribution of resources, and is economically and socially acceptable to mankind. In order to have a clear view of the contribution that organic farming plays on sustainability, further research is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]