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The potential for integrating DFID-funded Crop Post-Harvest Programme outputs into small-scale food production systems in South Africa’s Northern Province

Author
Natural Resource Institute

This study aims to improve household food security in rural South Africa by analysing the postharvest constraints and opportunities to rural livelihoods in the Northern Province of South Africa. The major activity conducted was a Participatory Rural Appraisal survey in three districts of the Northern Province (Northern District, Lowveld District and Southern District) to determine how the post-harvest constraints influence the livelihood strategies of rural households. The survey itself revealed largely major pre-harvest constraints such as lack of tractors, implements and fencing. The questionnaire survey was specifically focussed on post-harvest constraints. These were mainly insect pests and diseases, rodents and the constraint of transporting the harvest from the field to the home. Projects from the Crop Post-Harvest Programme from neighboring countries as well as other recommendations especially made during the mid-term workshop have been proposed to address these constraints in the coming year