Extent of acceptance of government projects for food security in Kabokweni Ehlanzeni District, South Africa.

Abstract

Food security is a major concern in different countries across the world, including South Africa. The study aimed to contextually analyse government projects in Kabokweni, Ehlanzeni district, South Africa to enhance their potential, and strengthen food security. A simple random sampling process was used to choose the 294 participants from a group of 1121 small-scale farmers. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire, which was administered to respondents by the lead researcher with the aid of trained enumerators. After giving consent, the respondents were asked the questions in one-on-one interviews while the lead researcher and enumerators noted down their responses on the questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyse the data using SPSS version 28 software. Descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and tables were used for analysis in the study. The type of inferential statistics used is the linear regression model. The results showed that most of the participants were female (64.29%). Youth participation was found to be 25.17% (age group of 29 to 39 years), while elderly farmers were found to be 13.95% (62 years and older). The majority (55.44%) of the small-scale farmers in the study area were schooled up to secondary level, while 12.24% had no formal education. At least 35.7% of the participants owned farmland ranging from 6 to 9 acres, with an annual income of R23 000 earned by 55.44% of the participants. Educational level (P-value=0.001), employment status (P-value=0.181), farm size (P-value=0.003), type of farm enterprise (P-value=0.001), and the level of awareness about government projects (P-value=0.001) were significant, and positively associated with the decision to accept government projects aimed at improving food security levels at the study area. However, the type of crops cultivated (P-value=0.005), and the type of livestock (P-value=0.001) were also statistically significant and influenced the acceptance of government projects for food security. In conclusion, to increase participation in government projects for food security, the monitoring and distribution approach must be improved. Moreover, the study recommends that small-scale farmers should be well informed about the benefits of participating in government projects for food security in the study area.