Assessing perception of small scale farmers on factors affecting sustainability of soybean production in Nkangala district Municipality.

Abstract

This study aimed to examine small-scale farmers' perceptions of factors affecting the sustainability of soybean production in Nkangala District Municipality, Mpumalanga, South Africa. The objectives of the study were to: (i) determine the small-scale farmers perceived ideas on farming, economic, extension and education, social, and policymaking factors in the sustainability of soybean production in the study area, (ii) determine the respondent's perceived attitudes towards the sustainability of soybean production, (iii) examine the relationship between respondents' perceived attitudes about farming, economic, extension and education, social, and policymaking factors in the sustainability of soybean production and their perceived attitudes on the sustainability of soybean production. (iv) determine the actual factors affecting the perceived attitudes towards the sustainability of soybean production in the study area. A sample size of 204 was selected from a population of 418 small-scale farmers using a simple random sampling technique. The collected data from a structured questionnaire instrument was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. This study discovered that the participants perceived ideas of factors in the sustainability of soybean production were farming (M=4.07), economic (4.05), extension and education (M=4.06), social (M=4.05), and policymaking (M=4.05). The results of participants' perceived attitudes towards the sustainability of soybean production were (M=4.04), obtained from statements asked about environmental (4.03), economic (4.04), and social (4.04) aspects of sustainability. The empirical findings infer that farming, economic, extension and education, social, and policymaking factors were factors affecting the sustainability of soybean production. The results suggest that any unit increase in these factors increases the probability of perceived attitudes towards the sustainability of soybean production. Therefore, this study concludes by recommending that the Extension Officers and other relevant stakeholders must consider these variables when implementing initiatives aimed at improving the sustainability of soybean production among small-scale farmers. Future studies may incorporate other factors such as agronomic and socio-economic factors in the sustainability of soybean production.