Entrepreneurship concepts/theories and smallholder agriculture: insights from the literature with empirical evidence from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Q2 Agricultural and Biological Sciences
E. Wale, U. Chipfupa
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引用次数: 8

Abstract

Unlocking on-farm entrepreneurship is said to be fundamental for employment creation in the smallholder sector and for rural poverty reduction. However, policy-relevant knowledge to enhance smallholders’ entrepreneurial activities and transform the sector is scant. This paper draws from a systematic literature review and recent survey data from South Africa to interrogate entrepreneurship concepts and theories in the context of smallholder farmers. The evidence shows that smallholders and their features do not conform to the growth-oriented concept of entrepreneurship. The external locus of control, reliance on unearned and external income, the absence of a business mindset and the lack of risk-taking propensity are the key challenges to realising entrepreneurship in the context of South African smallholder agriculture. It is possible to be a survival or subsistence entrepreneur without necessarily maximising profit. If such entrepreneurial activities are to flourish, there is a need to focus on farmers’ mindset, nurture self-reliance and take advantage of indigenised local knowledge. To this end, a paradigm shift is required in designing financial grants and inputs or farm service support programs. Government and rural development partners must be mindful of the long-term behavioural impacts (on farmers) of their actions so that they render support without nurturing a culture of entitlement and expectations by farmers. At a structural level, the structure of smallholder income will have to change in South Africa to enhance the internal locus of control and realise the transformation agenda in the sector. Future research should focus on the theory and practice of entrepreneurship in the context of smallholder agriculture.
创业概念/理论与小农农业:来自南非夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省实证文献的见解
据说,释放农场创业精神对小农部门创造就业和农村减贫至关重要。然而,加强小农创业活动和改造该部门的政策相关知识匮乏。本文通过系统的文献综述和近期南非的调查数据,对小农背景下的创业概念和理论进行了探讨。证据表明,小农及其特征不符合以增长为导向的创业理念。外部控制点、依赖不劳而获和外部收入、缺乏商业思维和缺乏冒险倾向是在南非小农农业背景下实现企业家精神的主要挑战。不一定要实现利润最大化,也有可能成为一个生存或维持生计的企业家。如果这样的创业活动蓬勃发展,就需要关注农民的心态,培养他们自力更生,并利用本土化的当地知识。为此,在设计财政补助和投入或农业服务支持计划时需要转变模式。政府和农村发展伙伴必须注意其行动(对农民)的长期行为影响,以便在提供支持的同时不培养农民的权利和期望文化。在结构层面上,南非的小农收入结构必须改变,以加强内部控制并实现该部门的转型议程。未来的研究重点应放在小农背景下的创业理论与实践上。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
Transactions of The Royal Society of South Africa
Transactions of The Royal Society of South Africa Agricultural and Biological Sciences-Agricultural and Biological Sciences (all)
CiteScore
2.80
自引率
0.00%
发文量
15
期刊介绍: Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa , published on behalf of the Royal Society of South Africa since 1908, comprises a rich archive of original scientific research in and beyond South Africa. Since 1878, when it was founded as Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society, the Journal’s strength has lain in its multi- and inter-disciplinary orientation, which is aimed at ‘promoting the improvement and diffusion of science in all its branches’ (original Charter). Today this includes natural, physical, medical, environmental and earth sciences as well as any other topic that may be of interest or importance to the people of Africa. Transactions publishes original research papers, review articles, special issues, feature articles, festschriften and book reviews. While coverage emphasizes southern Africa, submissions concerning the rest of the continent are encouraged.
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