Assessing the effect of financial constraint on food security and supply chain efficiency in Limpopo

Abstract

This research paper examines how financial constraints affect food security and the efficiency of the supply chain in Limpopo. Although the province has agricultural potential, food insecurity is a major problem, fuelled by limited access to financial resources, poor infrastructure, and inefficiencies in the food supply chain. This aim of this study was to assess how financial constraints affect food security and supply chain performance across Limpopo. A quantitative research methodology and the positivist paradigm was used in this study. The structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 100 food business owners using the purposive sampling techniques. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis. The results showed that financial accessibility significantly improves market stability and food security, whereas financial constraints significantly reduce agricultural productivity, supply chain efficiency, and the nutritional quality of food. The findings also show that limited financial means lead to logistical inefficiencies, high food prices, and low dietary diversity, thereby contributing to food insecurity in the province. The present study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by offering empirical evidence on the interdependent relationships among financial constraints, food system dynamics, and supply chain performance within a provincial context. Nonetheless, the study is subject to several limitations. The purposive sampling technique limits the generalisability of the research results, and the sample is restricted to food business owners rather than household viewpoints. Regional comparisons and the use of emerging technologies to enhance financial access and supply chain efficiency can also be further investigate