Factors influencing the commercialisation of emerging dairy farmers in South Africa: a case study of the Free State Province
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Date
2022-07
Authors
Molomo, Karabo Peter
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
This case study research aimed to identify factors that influence the commercialisation of emerging dairy farmers in the Free State Province, and assess the utility of dairy business hub models to address the identified factors. The study thus sought to answer the following research questions: What are the challenges influencing the commercialisation of emerging dairy farmers in the Free State Province? What are the opportunities for the commercialisation of emerging dairy farmers in the Free State Province? What strategies can be used to assist emerging dairy farmers to become commercial farmers? How can dairy business hub models help to commercialise emerging dairy farmers in the Free State Province?
Semi-structured interviews were used to collect case study data from 15 emerging dairy farmers in the Free State Province. The focus group in this case study included dairy professionals from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and SA Stud Book. Data were captured into excel and analysed by qualitative and quantitative methodologies, using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. The quantitative data were analysed using frequency tables and descriptive statistics. Themes were used to code and analyse the qualitative data.
The study identified the main constraints impacting the commercialisation of emerging dairy farmers in the Free State Province as: lack of access to financial support, market limitations, lack of infrastructure, low milk prices and lack of appropriate management skills. The results further showed that there are good prospects for commercialising emerging dairy farmers in the Free State Province. It was found that, provided they are correctly implemented, dairy business hub models can pave the way for the commercialisation of emerging dairy farmers in the Free State Province. The study recommends that the government provides emerging dairy farmers with various forms of support, including structural, financial, and market access assistance to help them commercialise their dairy enterprises. Further research should be conducted on implementing dairy business hub models for emerging dairy farmers in South Africa.
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Keywords
Emerging dairy farmers, Commercialisation, Dairy business hub model, Challenges, Dairy farming -- Free State