Factors Enhancing Market Participation : A Case of Small Holder Farmers in Zululand District, Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa

This paper highlighted factors affecting agricultural market participation and the promotion of the establishment of vegetable markets, fruit markets and nurseries in the Zululand District, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. This entailed taking a representative sample consisting of 50 agricultural projects, with 418 beneficiaries participating in the research. The following 5 local municipalities were visited: Mahlabathini, Nongoma, Pongola, Dumbe and Abaqulusi. Quantitative and qualitative design was used as a detailed questionnaire written in English, with a focus group discussion, a stakeholder's discussion, and field observations as part of the data collection. A purposive sampling technique was used to select fifty (50) projects, in order to cover uniformity and homogenous characteristics such as infrastructure requirements, skills availability, production challenges, agricultural training needs, water source needs, educational level and others. Data was coded, captured and analysed with a software package for social sciences (SPSS version 20). The following analysis were conducted: Descriptive and Univariate Regression. The results showed a significant association among the following variables: Age, Educational level, Farming experience, Land acquisition, Crops planted, Water source, Farming fulltime, Land size, Production inputs, Agricultural training and Market participation. It is recommended that fruit and vegetable markets be established, as well as the creation of a complete, viable agro value chain that will expand community driven agricultural production and processing.