Research finds farming alone may not drive rural development in South Africa
A University of the Free State study involving 132 small-scale farming households in former homeland areas of South Africa reveals that farming, though important for food security, is rarely the primary income source. Households combine farming with wage employment, small businesses, and social grants. This challenges government policies that emphasize land access and agricultural production as the main drivers of rural development.
Brève Publié le (Africa/Lagos, UTC+1)
A study by the University of the Free State questions the assumption that increasing land access alone will drive rural development in South Africa.
Examining 132 small-scale farming households in Emmaus (KwaZulu-Natal) and Thaba Nchu (Free State), researchers found that while farming remains important for food security and income, it is rarely the main income source for rural households.
Instead, households rely on a combination of farming, wage employment, small businesses, and social grants to sustain their livelihoods.
This finding challenges South African government policies, such as the National Development Plan 2030 and the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme, which emphasize land redistribution and agricultural production as key to economic development in former homeland areas.
The study suggests that rural development strategies need to consider the diverse income sources and livelihood strategies of rural households rather than focusing mainly on expanding land access and farming.