Perceptions on the constraints to agroforestry competitiveness: a case study of agrosilviculture community growers in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, South Africa.

Abstract

Agroforestry is a land-use system that includes the use of woody perennial, agricultural crops, and animals in combination to achieve beneficial ecological and economical interac tions for food, fiber, and livestock production. However, limited understanding, incorrect information, and a negative mindset could hinder the competitiveness of this practice. This case study of agrosilviculture community growers attempts to explain the grower’s con straints to agroforestry competitiveness by analyzing their agroforestry perception. Hence, the study was aimed to document grower’s perception on the constraints to agroforestry competitiveness in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. Quantitative and qualitative designs were used as a questionnaire written in English, and stakeholder’s discussion and field observations were part of the data collection. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 182 agrosilviculture community growers from 30 villages. Data was coded, captured, and analyzed using SPSS. The results indicated that the production factors, demand conditions, related and supporting industries, government support, chance, and quite a few community growers indicated that the market was causing a decrease in agroforestry competitiveness as the majority of growers strongly agreed and agreed respec tively. The results further indicated that firm strategy, structure, and rivalry were not causing a decrease in agroforestry competitiveness as the majority of growers strongly disagreed and disagreed. In conclusion, identified community growers’ perceptions are in line with some of the researcher’s field observations, and it is thus recommended that stakeholders should take note of the constraints identified by the agrosilviculture community growers in an attempt to increase agroforestry competitiveness in South Africa.