Original Research

Agro-processing as a tool for poverty alleviation strategy: A case of Raymond Mhlaba municipality

Thandeka Khowa, Tafadzwa J. Mukasi
Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review | Vol 9, No 1 | a463 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/apsdpr.v9i1.463 | © 2021 Thandeka Khowa, Tafadzwa J. Mukasi | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 12 June 2020 | Published: 25 October 2021

About the author(s)

Thandeka Khowa, Department of Sociology and Human Settlements, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
Tafadzwa J. Mukasi, Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Management and Commerce, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Agro-processing is viewed as a possible poverty alleviation tool for rural development in South African communities. Agro-processing can be a tool for income generation and local economic development for rural settings.

Aim: To examine the role and impact of cottage farming in Raymond Mhlaba municipality, rural Eastern Cape province. The study sought to identify ways of developing the cottage and agro-processing industries as a tool for poverty alleviation and local economic development.

Setting: Grounded on the sustainable development theory and the human capital development approach, the study explores how rural people in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality utilise their livelihood capitals as a tool for survival.

Method: The researcher employed a qualitative approach by using in-depth interviews and focus group discussion.

Results: The study revealed that rural households embark on various survival strategies, cottage farming being dominant.

Conclusion: The purpose of the study was to enhance small-scale farming using agro-processing as a poverty alleviation strategy, thus promoting a sustainable rural development for the Eastern Cape province.


Keywords

cottage farming; agro-processing; rural development; poverty alleviation; Raymond Mhlaba Municipality local economic development

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