Underutilised indigenous crop adoption and household food security: evidence from a cross-sectional study of smallholder farmers in South Africa

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Introduction Underutilised indigenous crops (UICs) are increasingly recognised in South Africa as a potential component of resilient and nutrition-sensitive agricultural systems. However, policy recognition has not been matched by sufficient household-level evidence on the extent and distribution of UIC adoption, the factors associated with adoption, or the relationship between UIC adoption and household food access insecurity among smallholder farming households in South Africa. Methods A quantitative, cross-sectional observational design was used among 205 smallholder farming households in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Household food-access insecurity was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Logistic regression, ordinary least squares regression, propensity-score matching, chi-square tests, and descriptive analysis were used to examine adoption patterns, associated factors, and food-access security outcomes. Results UIC adoption was reported by 70.2% of respondents, with pumpkin, cowpeas, and amaranth among the most widely cultivated crops. Adopting households had lower mean HFIAS scores than non-adopting households and were less likely to be classified as severely food insecure. In the OLS model, adoption was negatively associated with HFIAS scores ( β = −2.10, p = 0.007). Propensity-score matching also estimated a lower HFIAS score among adopters than among matched non-adopters (ATT = −2.15, p = 0.006). Water sufficiency, group membership, extension contact, education, and household size were associated with food-access security. Discussion The findings indicate that UIC adoption is associated with better household food-access security, but the cross-sectional observational design does not establish a causal effect. Promoting UICs may contribute to nutrition-sensitive agricultural development when accompanied by enabling conditions such as reliable water access, extension support, social capital, and productive resources.

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