Beneficiaries' assessment of Comprehensive Agricultural Support Program on livelihoods in Ngaka Modiri Molema District, North West Province, South Africa
Antwi, M. A.; Nkwe, N.
Asia Life Sciences: 379-394
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 0117-3375
Accession: 066183017
The main objective of the study was to assess the impact of Comprehensive Agricultural Support Program (CASP) on livelihoods of emerging farmer beneficiaries in Ngaka Modiri Molema District, North West Province, South Africa. A simple random sampling approach was used to select nine villages from the district and nine farmers were selected randomly from each village to give a total of 81 farmers as the sample size. Data was collected using structured questionnaire on personal and socio-economic indicators, physical, human, financial, natural and social capitals and CASP pillars before and after benefitting from CASP. Data was analyzed with SPSS using frequency counts, percentages and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. The results show that 56.8% of the farmers are females, 50.6% married, 70% are above 40 years of age while 45.7% had secondary school education. In general, farmers' access to financial, social, human, physical and natural capital improved after the introduction of CASP. Similarly, food security status among farmers increased after CASP. However, some important physical capital indicators were lowly achieved such as means of transport for the farmers, feed and watering facilities, established markets, road accessibility and electricity. Some of these resources play vital role in the sustainability of farm businesses. The result of the Wilcoxon Signed rank test of livelihood capital before and after CASP among farmers shows that significant difference exist in financial, human physical, and natural (Z = -7.60, -6.49, -3.56 and -7.77, p < 0.05) respectively. The result indicates an inverse relationship in terms of the impact of CASP on the livelihood capitals of the farmers. This implies that a discontinuation or non-participation in CASP will lead to a reduction in the livelihood capital among farmers.