Examining Key Factors and Supportive Interventions Influencing Smallholder Livestock Farming Performance in Umvoti Local Municipality

Résumé

This study examined the key factors influencing agricultural performance and the supportive interventions employed by the government for smallholder livestock farmers in Umvoti Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving the administration of questionnaires to 300 smallholder livestock farmers, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. The study found that farming skillset, climate variability, and agricultural resource availability were the most critical factors affecting agricultural performance. The majority of farmers were male, had secondary education, and practised free-range grazing on communal land. Access to production inputs and markets was limited, with most farmers relying on local informal markets. Government support interventions included farmer assistance programs, veterinary services, extension services, and value-adding training, but their accessibility and effectiveness varied. The study recommends a multi-pronged approach to improve smallholder livestock farming, including increasing access to production inputs and markets, strengthening farmer support programs, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The findings of this study contribute to an understanding of the challenges faced by smallholder farmers and provide a foundation for designing effective support mechanisms that align with their needs and circumstances. Since the target population was smallholder farmers, the information obtained was limited and not generalisable to commercial farmers. Addressing these factors through targeted interventions, capacity building, climate adaptation strategies, and improved resource accessibility is crucial for enhancing the productivity and livelihoods of smallholder livestock farmers in Umvoti Local Municipality.

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