Abstract:
Maize is a crucial crop in the Mopani District of South Africa, playing a vital role in food
security, economic development, and alleviation of poverty. As a staple crop in the
region, maize is an important source of food for the local population and a significant
economic activity for farmers. Farmers tends to select seed varieties for desired
benefits such as adapting to the changing climatic conditions. The main aim of the
study was to investigate the determinants of maize seed selection for climate change
adaptation among emerging farmers in Mopani district. The study used quantitative
research method. A simple random sampling was used to select the participants of the
study. Data was collected through structured questionnaire from a sample of 208
emerging maize farmers. Descriptive Statistics was used to analyze and describe
socio-economic characteristics of farmers within the study area. A multinomial Logit
Model was used to examine factors influencing choice of maize seed varieties among
emerging farmers and to determine the influence of climate change knowledge on
selection of maize seed varieties. The results of the study showed that the majority of
farmers were males, with the dominating age group being between 41 to 50 years and
had between 6 and 10 years of farming experience. Grading and standardization of
maize during the marketing phase had a significant impact on the selection of the red
seed variety, and that awareness of climate change also had a significant impact on
the selection of seed varieties. It was recommended that continuous efforts be made
to promote awareness of climate change among farmers.
