Abstract:
Smallholder farmers’ need for regular supply of adequate, quality and affordable seed led
to the establishments of Community-Based Maize Seed Production Schemes (CBSPSs) in
most developing countries, including South Africa. In view of the important influence of
perception on the adoption and continued use of an innovation, this study was undertaken
to evaluate farmers’ perceptions of CBSPSs in Polokwane and Lepelle-Nkumpi Local
Municipalities of Limpopo province. The conceptualization of perception used in this study
was based on the Düvel (1991) framework. The evaluation focused on whether planting
the scheme’s main product, improved Open-Pollinated Varieties (improved OPV maize)
seed meets farmers’ needs based on their perceptions and the extent of farmers’ planting
of improved OPV maize. A census approach was used in view of the small numbers of
seed producers in the schemes; all scheme members (50) were, therefore, interviewed
between 27 March and 21 April 2017. To allow for comparison, an equal number of
farmers (50) who were not members of the scheme were also interviewed. Data was
collected from farmers using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential
statistics were applied to analyze the data using SPSS software. A binary logistic model
was used to analyze factors that influence farmer perceptions on OPV benefits. The study
findings showed that there is a significant relationship between awareness knowledge of
improved OPV maize and planting of improved OPV maize. Furthermore, the results
showed that farmers perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of improved OPV
maize seed were not different among scheme and non-scheme members as they were all
in agreement that improved OPV maize have more benefits than their own previously
recycled seeds. Finally, findings showed that respondents municipality and scheme
membership had a significant, effect on the positive perception of planting improved OPV
maize seeds. Other explanatory variables such as sex, farming experience, years of
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schooling, farm size, income and age of participants had no significant effect on farmer
perceptions. It is therefore recommended that improved OPV maize be made widely
available and promoted based on its advantages to enhance its adoption. Future studies
on these seed schemes could look into the production and financial analysis of CBSPSs to
ascertain their profitability and sustainability.
