Problem-solving strategies for small-scale emerging commercial mango farmers in Venda.
Haese M. d', Rooyen J. van, Huylenbroeck G. van, Haese L. d'
Author Affiliation: Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
Development Southern Africa 15 : 471-489
Abstract : The paper describes the prevailing farming system of emerging small-scale commercial mango farmers in the Venda region of the Northern Province of South Africa. Analyses based on intensive group discussions with farmers (n=27, no year given) and prioritization of their problems using a 'problem tree/objective tree' framework, as well as comparisons with adjacent commercial mango farmers, enabled the development of operational support strategies. The study followed a new (for South Africa) participative approach. The first step of the Objective Oriented Intervention Planning (OOIP) approach to Logical Framework Analysis (LFA) is a problem tree; the next is to convert the problem tree into an objective tree in order to identify alternative strategies for alleviating constraints and problems. These are then summarised in the LFA matrix. The methodology is described.