Abstract

This paper highlighted the importance of the establishment of vegetable and fruit markets and nurseries in the Waterberg District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. This was achieved by taking a representative sample consisting of 57 agricultural projects, with 792 beneficiaries participating in this research. The following six local municipalities were visited: Lephalale, Thabazimbi, Mookgopong, Mogalakwena, Modimolle and Bela-Bela. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used including a detailed questionnaire written in English, focus group discussions, stakeholder’s discussions, and field observations as part of the data collection. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 57 projects, in order to cover uniformity and homogenous characteristics such as infrastructure requirements, skills availability, production challenges, agricultural training needs, water source needs, and educational level. Data was coded, captured, and analysed with a software package for social sciences (SPSS version 20) using Descriptive Analysis and Univariate Regression Analysis. The results showed a significant association among the following variables: age, educational level, farming experience, land, land acquisition, crop planted, water source, water rights, agricultural training and market participation. It is recommended that fruit and vegetable markets be established, as well as the creation of a complete, viable agro value chain that will expand community driven agricultural production and processing.

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