Factors influencing livestock ownership and herd intensity among smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

ABSTRACT: This study explores the factors influencing smallholder farmers' decisions on livestock ownership and herd size in the context of climate change. A cross-sectional approach was employed, using a multi-stage sampling method to survey 600 smallholder farmers, 495 of whom were engaged in livestock production. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire and analysed using a double hurdle model. The findings reveal that the decision to own livestock is positively influenced by adherence to African traditional religion, access to climate information, membership in farming organizations, income diversification, possession of formal housing, exposure to high average temperatures, and the likelihood of being in female-headed households. In contrast, higher educational attainment and

SUBMITTER: Manyike JZ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11773063 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature