Adoption Drivers of Improved Open-Pollinated (OPVs) Maize Varieties by Smallholder Farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

Masithembe Sigigaba, Lelethu Mdoda and Asanda Mditshwa
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Masithembe Sigigaba: Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa
Lelethu Mdoda: Department of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Management and Agribusiness, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa
Asanda Mditshwa: Department of Horticultural Science, University of KwaZulu, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 24, 1-18

Abstract: This study assesses the determinants of adoption drivers of improved open-pollinated (OPVs) maize varieties by smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Cross-sectional data of multi-stage random sampling was used to randomly select 150 smallholder farmers in the province. Data collection was conducted through a well-structured questionnaire administered to 150 smallholder farmers. Descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model were used for the analyses. The inferential results reveal that the majority of farmers in the study area were females (70%) with an average age of 45 years and had six people in the households. Smallholder maize farmers spent an average of 10 years in school. The results show that smallholder maize farmers had a farm size of 3 ha and a household income of R 3565.00, which contributes highly to household and farm operations. Farmers had access to extension services and were members of farm organizations. The results show that hybrid is the most used maize variety rather than OPVs. The main reason, among other things, for the poor use and adoption of OPVs is the lack of knowledge about the seeds. The results drawn from the estimations show that socio-economic and institutional factors influenced the adoption of OPVs by farmers in the study area. Therefore, the study recommends strengthening the existing extension services to highlight the benefits of OPVs through training and farmers’ information days.

Keywords: adoption; Eastern Cape Province; open-pollinated variety (OPVs); smallholder farmers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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