THE CONTRIBUTION OF PERI-URBAN LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION ON THE FOOD SECURITY OF FARMERS IN BOTLENG, DELMAS, SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

This study explored the food security status of peri-urban livestock farmers in the township of Botleng, Delmas, South Africa, and sought to determine whether livestock production has contributed to the food security of farming households in the area. The specific objectives were to determine: (i) the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of farmers in the township of Botleng, Delmas, South Africa, (ii) the food security status of farmers in the area, (iii) the contribution of periurban livestock farming to food accessibility of farmers in the area, and (iv) other contributions acquired through livestock production in the study area outside of those which affect food security. Primary data were collected from 108 farmers who were randomly selected and were subsequently interviewed through the administration of a questionnaire, which contained the standard Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Demographic and socio-economic information was collected to better understand the dynamics of the livestock farmers in the area. The HFIAS is a standardized questionnaire, used to acquire household food security information and give an idea of the food security status of a household. A descriptive analysis was performed, and the results showed that the area only had black farmers, the majority of which were elderly males. It was further found that 86.1% of the households were food secure and that 99.1% of the households showed that livestock production contributed financially to the household. Furthermore, of those that indicated that they received income from livestock sales, 99.07% of them indicated that the money they received was used to buy food, amongst other things. This showed that livestock production contributed to food security in the households of the farmers through increasing food access. It was recommended that livestock production be encouraged in more households especially among youth and women and that capacity building of farmers is essential, especially in enhancing their earning potentials in livestock farming.