Determinants of participation in the global maize value chain by smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa

Smallholder maize farmers are vital to rural livelihoods and food security in South Africa, yet their involvement in global value chains (GVCs) remains limited. This thesis investigates the factors influencing smallholder maize farmers’ integration into GVCs in the Eastern Cape Province, where structural barriers, climate risks, and weak institutions restrict market development. Designed as a publication-based study, it starts with an overview of the maize sector and key concepts related to smallholder agriculture and GVC participation. Primary data were collected from 200 smallholder maize farmers across five district municipalities using a multi-stage sampling design. The four empirical papers utilise multinomial logistic regression, ordered logistic regression, and probit models, complemented by qualitative insights. They analyse how socioeconomic factors, climate variability, cooperative membership, and access to funding or institutional support affect GVC involvement, characterised by periodic engagement with formal buyers, partial compliance with quality and quantity standards, and limited but growing integration into regional or export-oriented markets. However, full participation remains difficult due to institutional challenges, such as limited export licensing and poor market linkages. Climate variability, especially irregular rainfall and recurring droughts, continues to impede production and competitiveness despite adaptation efforts. Cooperative membership has a modest positive impact. This suggests that while cooperative membership may increase the likelihood of engaging in formal markets, it does not, on its own, guarantee meaningful participation. Instead, factors such as training, income, and employment status are stronger indicators of participation. Highlighting the need for improved governance, digital access, and stronger extension services. While funding and support programmes help some farmers increase production, complex application processes, low awareness, and inconsistent support hamper their impact on market upgrading. Overall, the thesis demonstrates that enabling smallholders to join GVCs requires comprehensive structural reforms, including stronger institutions, targeted climate adaptation, better cooperative management, and streamlined export procedures to foster inclusive and sustainable integration.