The Impact of Entrepreneurial Competencies on Household Food Security Among Smallholder Farmers in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Ecol Food Nutr. 2018 Mar-Apr;57(2):71-93. doi: 10.1080/03670244.2017.1416361. Epub 2017 Dec 22.

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of entrepreneurial competencies on food security among rural farming households in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (SA). A total of 513 rural households were randomly selected, and the descriptive results indicated that 51% of these households were food insecure, and they were somewhat negative about their entrepreneurial competencies. The estimated results indicated that entrepreneurship had a positive impact on food security. The study findings suggest that stimulating entrepreneurship through developing entrepreneurial competencies among the farming households is important for improved food security among rural households in SA.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; KwaZulu-Natal; household food security; rural areas; smallholder farming.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Agriculture*
  • Family Characteristics*
  • Farmers*
  • Female
  • Food Supply*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Informal Sector*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutritional Status*
  • Rural Population
  • South Africa