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Adoption of ICT-Based Information Sources and Market Participation among Smallholder Livestock Farmers in South Africa

Author

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  • Christopher Ugochukwu Nwafor

    (Department of Agriculture, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • Abiodun A. Ogundeji

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa)

  • Carlu van der Westhuizen

    (Department of Agriculture, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

Abstract

The study explored the contribution of information and communication technology (ICT)-based information sources to market participation among smallholder livestock farmers. Use of ICTs is considered paramount for providing smallholder farmers with required market information, and also to reduce market asymmetries. A double hurdle regression was utilized to analyze data collected from 150 smallholder livestock farmers in the study area. The results show that while use of ICT-based market information sources significantly influenced market participation, the effect of using ICT-based information sources on the intensity of market participation was not significant. Other variables shown to influence both market participation and the intensity of market participation were age, additional income and membership of farmer cooperatives. This suggests the need to consider other associated factors in the application and design of interventions that utilize ICT-based information sources to achieve market engagement among smallholders.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher Ugochukwu Nwafor & Abiodun A. Ogundeji & Carlu van der Westhuizen, 2020. "Adoption of ICT-Based Information Sources and Market Participation among Smallholder Livestock Farmers in South Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:10:y:2020:i:2:p:44-:d:321423
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