Factors Contributing to Rural Household Consumption Expenditure of Farmers Cultivating Legumes in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

• Published in: Journal of human ecology (Delhi) 2018-06, Vol.62 (1-3), p.1
• Main Authors: Manyaja, R S, Anim, F D K, Gwata, E T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Access to credit; Beneficiaries; Comparative analysis; Consumption; Economic models; Expenditures; Farmers; Household expenditure; Households; Land tenure; Legumes; Rural communities; Sampling; Small farms; Terms of trade; Welfare
• ISSN: 0970-9274; 2456-6608
• DOI: 10.31901/24566608.2018/62.1-3.3072

This study was conducted to analyze factors affecting household consumption expenditures among small-scale legume farmers in selected areas of Limpopo Province, South Africa. A sample of 198 farmers was drawn from two small-scale farming communities using quota sampling. Farmers were beneficiaries of the two communities cultivating legumes during the 2014/2015 growing season. Poisson regression analysis was employed for the study. The results indicated that farmers with access to credit, high pay off farm income and cultivated only one type of legume variety were less likely to have high household consumption expenditure leading to decreased welfare. Again, married and old farmers were also less likely to have high household consumption expenditure. Comparatively, farmers with increased land tenure security and regular contacts with extension officers were likely to have increased household expenditure and welfare. The study recommended increase in the availability of land and contact with extension officers to enhance household welfare in the area.