Evaluating the contributions of the traditional leadership institution to the success of rural agricultural projects

Abstract

Despite numerous attempts to improve the participation of the Traditional Leadership Institution (TLI) in rural development, it is still not clear what its sector-specific roles and contributions are in agriculture (TLIC). Furthermore, how these contributions impact the Success of agricultural projects (APSF) and the barriers to their effective participation (FHTLIC) remain unknown. Therefore, the study evaluated the moderating effect of FHTLIC on the relationship between TLIC and APSF. A structural equation model was used for evaluation through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences IBM Amos version 26. Specifically, the direct and indirect effects of the TLIC in creating conditions necessary for rural agricultural projects to prosper were modelled and analysed. Initially an explorative study was conducted using focus groups and interviews (N =103) to construct measures in the model and then, a self-administered survey questionnaire (N = 211) was utilized to collect quantitative data for model testing and evaluation. Communal farmers, traditional leaders, and key informants in Vhembe and Mopani districts in Limpopo province, South Africa provided data for the study. The study revealed that four of the five validated factors of TLIC significantly and positively impact the conditions of success for rural agricultural projects using multiple regression analysis. The role of TLI in promoting social capital by aiding networking, partnerships, and collaborations for farmers with development actors such as government, non-governmental organizations as well as other local players explained the most variance. Furthermore, it emerged that FHTLIC is a significant moderator in the relationship. Thus, with a combination of higher levels of TLIC or TLI participation and low effect of barriers to participation, conditions of success for rural farmers are significantly improved. Moreover, the higher-level effect of FHTLIC affected the effect that TLI has on APSF, even with increased participation. The political and relational barriers were the most problematic barriers mainly caused by role ambiguity. To improve TLI participation, efforts to minimize the effect of four identified barriers while enhancing the capacity of the TLI to promote rural development is recommended. Given the results, regular multi-stakeholder collaboration training is also recommended that might enable stakeholders to partner, share responsibilities, and knowledge in support of rural agricultural projects, including those in agriculture. Further refinement of the current model, by investigating the moderating effect for each of the four facets of FHTLIC is recommended. This is critical to further adapt the model, give practitioners, TLI, and policy makers options or tools to promote local economic development and add to the body of knowledge.