Household level socio-economic and institutional factors that influence changes in cultivated areas: the case of Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, South Africa

Abstract

Understanding the detailed web of factors influencing changes in cultivated areas at the household level is critical for sustainable development in the dynamics of agricultural systems. Households, as basic units within the agricultural framework, are at the center of decision-making processes that have a direct impact on land use patterns. Hence this study estimated the socio-economic and institutional factors that are associated with changes in the area of land under cultivation and associated perceptions. The study was carried out in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, where land cultivation has drastically dropped. A total of 400 respondents were chosen randomly. Estimates of the socio-economic and institutional variables that affect changes in the area under cultivation were made using the Multinomial Logit Regression model. Descriptive results revealed that most respondents reported a decrease in the area of land they had under cultivation and few reported an increase or no change. The results further revealed mixed perceptions regarding any potential increase in the amount of land cultivated. Both negative and positive perceptions were noted. The empirical results indicate that livestock ownership and marital status are associated with a decrease in the amount of land cultivated, while the number of family members and access to extension services are related to an increase in amount of land cultivated. Institutional factors could be leveraged to promote an increase in rural cultivated land.