Examining the role and sustainability of the Umbumbulu Agri-Hub as a model to support smallholder farmers.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an Agricultural Farmers Support Center in KwaZulu-Natal's Umbumbulu Town as a model for helping small-scale farmers in rural areas. The mixed-methods approach was adopted to gather and analyse qualitative and quantitative data to gain an in-depth understanding of the Hub's impact. Quantitative data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires which were distributed to 29 smallholder farmers engaged in the Hub's activities. The investigation employed regression modelling to ascertain significant determinants of farm income, including gender, age, type of farming, and the frequency of Hub visits. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with the Hub's management and municipal officials representatives, while the quantitative data was collected with the open and closed questionnaire that was administered by the research to the Umbumbulu Agri- Hub registered farmers. The results demonstrated that agricultural extension services are widely supported and that the Umbumbulu Agri-Hub has benefited farmers by serving as a channel for providing extension services to smallholder farmers in rural areas. The results indicated that the Umbumbulu Agri-Hub functions on an open-source small-scale business model designed to address the requirements of resource-limited smallholder farmers. The Hub's offerings, encompassing training, subsidised inputs, technical assistance, and market facilitation, have markedly enhanced agricultural yields and quality for most farmers. Regular visits to the hub correlated positively with increased income levels, which highlighted the significance of active participation in its services.