Cassava production in South Africa : understanding smallholder farmers’ knowledge, attitude, and practice towards cassava production

Abstract

Cassava is widely recognised for its resilience to climate change and its ability to thrive under drought conditions. However, despite these advantages, cassava remains unpopular in the South African food market. This study examines the socio-economic factors influencing farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to cassava production and their implications. Data were collected from 117 farmers across three provinces in South Africa and analysed using a multinomial logistic regression model and the KAP framework. The results indicate significant knowledge gaps, with only 12% of respondents demonstrating adequate knowledge of cassava cultivation. Moreover, negative attitudes toward cassava production were more prevalent than positive ones, and most farmers were not adhering to recommended cultivation practices. Socio-demographic factors such as organisational membership, age, gender, marital status, education level, and farming experience were found to have mixed effects on cassava production. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions such as farmer training programmes, awareness campaigns on the benefits of cassava, educational workshops and seminars, and the provision of incentives, particularly for youth and female farmers.