EXPLORING THE FOOD SECURITY CHALLENGES FACING SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN GERT SIBANDE DISTRICT, SOUTH AFRICA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17501/26827018.2025.10103Keywords:
Food security, Smallholder Farmers, Agriculture, Livelihood, HouseholdAbstract
South Africa faces high unemployment, leading to extreme poverty, energy shortages, and rising living costs. The agricultural sector in the country is no exception in these challenges, but farmers (smallholder farmers) remain resilient, making the sector one of the key role players ensuring food security and employment. The study explored the food security challenges that smallholder farmers face in achieving food security in Gert Sibande District, South Africa. The study's objectives were to determine the food security status of smallholder farmers in the study area and to examine the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in their efforts to achieve household food security. The study employed the random sampling method to select 275 smallholder farmers who participated in the study. A mixed research design method was employed, and data were collected using structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 27) software was used to analyse the data collected using descriptive and inferential statistics. The Food Consumption Score (FCS) was used to analyse the food security status. The study's major findings are that 90.5% of the farmers are encountering challenges when buying food for their families, as well as 65.1 % respondents stating that they are not receiving any external support. Therefore, it is recommended that future research examines the potential of young farmer in the study area towards their contribution to ensure food security among households.
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