https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 14:33:54 GMT 2026-07-06T14:33:54Z https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1081 Title: An inquiry into factors influencing croplands abandonment by households in eMzitheni village, Eastern Cape. Authors: Morajane, Lerato Mary-Gold. Abstract: Cropland abandonment is a complex phenomenon that continues to threaten food security and livelihoods of farming households in South Africa and elsewhere in the world, yet the factors influencing land abandonment are understudied. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors behind the abandonment of arable lands in the rural community of eMzitheni village in Mnquma Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape province and evaluate the consequences of cropland abandonment on food availability among households. A mixed-methods research approach was employed, involving structured and semi-structured questionnaires administered to 95 farming households, who were selected through purposive and stratified sampling method. A cross-sectional and exploratory research design was followed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse household food production and associated characteristics, while a logit regression model identified factors influencing cropland abandonment. Thematic analysis was conducted to analyse households’ perceptions, attitudes and lived experiences of cropland abandonment and the consequences of cropland abandonment on food availability. The results of the study showed that 54% of the participants were females. The findings revealed that adult participation in agricultural activities is high in eMzitheni, as the average mean age of the participants was 54 years, and their average farming experience 17 years. The study showed that 24% of the households indicated that they were solely dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods and 48% of the households indicated that they had slightly abandoned their croplands, with maize being the predominantly grown crop in the area. Among all tested variables, smartphone ownership showed a significant relationship (p = 0.007) with land abandonment, suggesting that increased access to digital and non-farm opportunities may influence livelihood diversification away from agriculture. The study also found that cropland abandonment negatively affected household food availability, reducing self-produced food supplies and increasing reliance on purchased food, thereby heightening vulnerability to food insecurity. The study recommended effective intervention against cropland abandonment in eMzitheni and similar rural areas require holistic, well-coordinated, and inclusive policies that combine economic incentives, environmental resilience, social empowerment, and institutional reform. Description: Dissertation (Master(Science))--University of Mpumalanga, 2026 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1081 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1080 Title: The impact of agricultural innovation system on productivity of smallholder crop farmers in Mbombela local municipality. Authors: Monamodi, Prayer. Abstract: The Agricultural Innovation System (AIS) serves as a vital mechanism for providing agricultural research-based knowledge, extension support, and introducing innovations into agricultural use. Through collaborations among multiple actors and the implementation of conducive policies, AIS helps smallholder crop farmers (SCFs) enhance productivity, promote resource efficiency, strengthen food security, foster sustainable agricultural development, and ultimately ensure sustainable livelihoods. This study aims to investigate the impact of AIS on the productivity of smallholder crop farmers in Mbombela Local Municipality, with a focus on crop yield-increasing innovations such as improved seeds, chemical fertilisers, chemical pesticides, and irrigation systems. A quantitative research design was employed, and data were collected from 308 systematically selected SCFs’ using a structured questionnaire administered through survey interviews. Descriptive statistics, including frequency counts and percentages, and inferential statistics, such as Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and binary logistic regression, were used to analyse the data through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29.0 and STATA version 14.0. The results indicated that farmers in the study area received extension support services in the form of input support (71.4%), financial assistance (70.1%), training (67.5%), technical advisory services (58.4%), and infrastructural support (4.5%). Propensity Score Matching results demonstrated that the use of improved seeds significantly increased crop yields across all crops, with the highest impact on tomato, cabbage, and maize (6.941 tons/ha, 8.905 tons/ha, and 3.854 tons/ha, respectively). Chemical fertilisers also showed positive effects, significantly improving yields for tomato, chilies, and maize (7.541 tons/ha, 3.318 tons/ha, and 5.022 tons/ha, respectively), but had no statistically significant effect on cabbage. Chemical pesticides increased yields for tomatoes (6.703 tons/ha) and chilies (1.294 tons/ha) but had no statistically significant effect on cabbage and maize. The use of irrigation systems resulted in yield increases for all crops, with tomato and cabbage farmers experiencing the highest gains (7.273 tons/ha and 8.851 tons/ha, respectively). Binary logistic regression results revealed that inadequate knowledge, limited access to credit, high input costs, unfavourable climatic conditions, weak social networks, and socio-economic characteristics such as gender, age group, level of education, main source of off-farm income, and cooperative membership significantly constrained SCFs’ use of agricultural innovations. Based on the findings, the study concluded that SCFs’ in the study area mostly receive input support, followed by financial support and training support, while technical advisory support is less common, and infrastructure support is the most lacking. AIS positively impacts productivity by increasing crop yields, particularly through the use of improved seeds, chemical fertilisers, chemical pesticides, and irrigation systems, with the most notable effects observed in tomato, cabbage, and maize farming. However, the ineffectiveness of chemical fertilisers and chemical pesticides for specific crops, such as cabbage and maize, requires further investigation. Additionally, SCFs in the study area face constraints that hinder SCFs ability to use these innovations. The study recommends targeted interventions to address gaps in support services and barriers to innovation usage to enhance smallholder crop productivity and sustainability. Future research should evaluate the impacts of AIS across a broader range of agricultural innovations and geographic areas to inform policy effectively. Description: Dissertation (Master(Agriculture in Agricultural Extension))--University of Mpumalanga, 2026 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1080 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1079 Title: Contextual assessment of livestock farming as an intervention for food security in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. Authors: Mokoena, Jabulani Johannes. Abstract: The study focused on the assessment of Livestock farming as an Intervention for food security in Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The objectives of the study were to: (і) assess the socio-economic impact of livestock farming as an intervention to food security. (іі) examine the contributions of livestock production to farmers’ livelihood. (ііі) determine the challenges faced by livestock farmers in the study area. (іѵ) examine the best practices of livestock farming among livestock producers. (ѵ) determine the levels of acceptance of the best practices in livestock farming among livestock producers. The study followed a stratified sampling method used in selecting the target group from 400 population. Livestock farmers were categorised as smallholders, commercial, and subsistence producers. Three hundred and sixty (360) participants were interviewed. Slovin’s formula was used to calculate the sample size for the study. The research project followed the quantitative research design. Pre-testing of the questionnaire was, used to identify and resolve any problems or issues before the full scale study was, conducted to ensure correct interpretation, as well as assessing clarity and relevance of the questionnaire. The Structured questionnaire instrument was used to collect quantifiable data from the participants. The study employed the IBM-SPSS Statistics version 27 software to analyse data. Males were found to have more percentage than females, with 63.3% (male) and 36.7% (female). Secondary level of education was found to be at 32.78%. The majority, 64.4% of the livestock farmers, depend on local buyers to sell their livestock. The study adopted a binary logistic regression model, because binary logistic regression method helps to estimate the probability of events as a function of a set of independent variables that are hypothesized to influence an outcome. The findings of the study revealed that the age of the respondents, kind of livestock rearing, farm extension officers visits, often extension officers’ visits, marital status and the level of education were the significant variables, which influenced the adoption of best livestock management practices. Amongst the challenges, results indicated a high rate of stock theft; furthermore, the study reveals that cattle as a commodity are also rated high on stock theft. There is little contribution of smallholder farmers towards household food security, and actual challenges faced by livestock farmers in the study area. These challenges seem to have negatively impacted the farmers' efforts to improve their livelihood and level of economic status. The study examined the contribution of livestock farmers towards food security in the study area. It is recommended that the government consider designing a policy dealing with stock theft reduction in the study area. This implies that the government should also establish formal markets that include rural farmers to sell their livestock anytime, rather than waiting for local buyers. The government should make policies aligned with rural livestock markets. Description: Thesis (Doctor(Philosophy))--University of Mpumalanga, 2026 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1079 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1078 Title: Integration of phytomedicine into the main-stream health care system: perceptions from Bojanala District, South Africa. Authors: Matlala, Maropeng Erica. Abstract: South Africa’s healthcare system is plagued by inequalities, especially in rural and marginalised areas, where access to healthcare facilities and quality healthcare services is limited. This is one of the reasons why the use of traditional medicine is still very prevalent in the country. In the North-West Province, there is limited research on phytomedicinal plant use. This study therefore aimed to explore phytomedicinal practices in the Bojanala District, North-West Province, and to assess healthcare professionals' perceptions of integrating traditional medicine into the mainstream healthcare system. Ethnobotanical data were collected from 37 participants selected following purposive and snowball sampling techniques through face-to-face interviews using semi-structured questionnaires. Thereafter, ethnobotanical indices, including use value (UV), fidelity level (FL), and plant part value (PPV) were calculated. The survey revealed 52 medicinal plant species across 28 families, with Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Anacardiaceae being the most represented. A. afra (UV=1.108), D. anomala (UV=0.622), S. aethiopicus (UV=0.459), D. sanguinea (UV=0.459), and H. hemerocallidea (UV=0.405) were the most commonly cited species. Leaves and roots were the most frequently harvested plant parts, with PPVs of 0.329 and 0.237, respectively. Decoction and burning were the most commonly used preparatory methods, and the majority of herbal preparations were taken orally. Although 63% of recorded plant species were classified as Least Concern (LC) by SANBI, several of these species experienced decline in populations due to overharvesting and habitat loss. There is, therefore, a need for continuous monitoring and the implementation of sustainable harvesting practices, as well as the pharmacological validation of the most frequently used species. Additionally, further research is needed to identify bioactive compounds in medicinal plant species, to support traditional claims, and promote the development of plant-based therapeutic agents. In the second phase of the study, 40 purposively selected healthcare professionals were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire focusing on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). The collected data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that most healthcare professionals acknowledged the effectiveness of traditional medicine. Only 17% of participants expressed confidence in the safety of traditional medicine, while others raised concerns about the lack of standardisation of dosage and the absence of scientific evidence on its efficacy. Even so, 65% of healthcare professionals supported the integration of traditional medicine into the mainstream healthcare system, provided concerns over its safety and effectiveness were addressed. Fifty-five percent (55%) of healthcare workers have never used traditional medicine before, while 67.5% indicated they would not recommend it to anyone. The findings revealed that successful integration is possible only if both traditional health practitioners and healthcare professionals are properly educated and trained, and if thorough research on traditional medicine is conducted to address safety concerns. Description: Dissertation (Master(Science))--University of Mpumalanga, 2026 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1078 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z