Title : Assessing constraints faced by smallholder crop farmers, participants and non-participants of agro-processing in Limpopo Province: A Kendall’s coefficient of concordance approach
Abstract:
Despite the growing recognition of agro-processing as a key pathway to increasing rural incomes and enhancing food security, smallholder crop farmers in South Africa remain largely excluded from active participation in the sector. This study identified and analysed the constraints faced by both participants and non-participants of agro-processing in Limpopo Province. Using a cross-sectional design and Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance, the study identified and ranked the most common barriers hindering the farm turnover and effective participation in agro-processing. Findings revealed a strong agreement amongst both smallholder crop farmers. From the 12 constraints analysed, market competition, inadequate packaging, high labor costs, and limited technical and agro-processing knowledge demonstrated distinct mean ranks, reflecting their differential impact on participants and non-participants of agro-processing. Understanding these constraints is crucial to informing policy and support mechanisms that promote inclusive agro-industrial growth, post-harvest loss mitigation strategies, and improve farm turnover among smallholder farmers.
Keywords: Constraints, Smallholder, Crop productivity, Participation, Agro-processing, Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance
