Determinants of Farm Income During Lockdown Restrictions Amongst Small-Scale Farmers in the Gauteng Province, South Africa

The paper aims to determine which factors influenced the level of farm income for small-scale farmers in Gauteng Province during the lockdown period. Simple random sampling was used to collect data from 132 small-scale farmers using an online survey between January and February 2023. The Ordinary Least Square model (OLS) was used to analyse the data. The results showed that the farmer's age, level of education, non-farm income, number of farm workers employed, farming experience and lockdown influenced the level of farm income. In contrast, lack of funding negatively influenced the level of farm income. By improving the level of education and providing specialised training on modern farming techniques and farm management, farmers can enhance their productivity and efficiency. In addition, to enhance the overall farm income, it is recommended that non-farm income opportunities be promoted and supported as they have been shown to positively influence the level of farm income. Governments and financial institutions should also work together to create and expand funding opportunities for small-scale farmers, such as low-interest loans, grants, and subsidies.