Abstract

This paper highlighted the importance of the establishment of vegetable markets, fruit markets and nurseries in the Greater Sekhukhune district, Limpopo Province, South Africa. This entailed taking a representative sample consisting of 69 agricultural projects, with 1096 beneficiaries participating in this research. The following 5 local municipalities were visited: Ephraim Mogale, Greater Tubatse, Elias Motsoaledi, Fetakgomo and Makhuduthamaga. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used in the form of a detailed questionnaire written in English, a focus group discussion, a stakeholder’s discussion, and field observations as part of the data collection. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the 69 projects, in order to cover uniformity and homogenous characteristics such as infrastructure requirements, skills availability, production challenges, agricultural training needs, water source needs, educational level and others. Data was coded, captured, and analyzed with the 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 size, land acquisition, crops planted, water source 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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