The Role Played by External Organisations on Citrus Smallholder Farmers' Livelihoods Outcomes:A Case Study of Smallholder Farmers in South Africa

Agricultural production in South Africa still remains the main source of income for smallholder farmers. Citrus production in South Africa contributes about 16-23 percent to Gross Domestic Product and about two percent of employment. The purpose of this study article is to provide a description of the probability for South African citrus farmers to engage in collective marketing activities over time, given market and institutional characteristics. Using a sample of 120 citrussmallholder farmers from the Eastern Cape and Limpopo Provinces in South Africa, propensity score matching analysis suggests that farmer support initiatives have a leading role to play in improving the lives and economicstatus of farmers. The empirical findings suggest that, among South African farmers, the role of external organisations improves livelihood outcomes in a more sustainable way. The results show that having access to some external support leads to better paying markets both locally and internationally. The results conclude that access to external support has a positive influence on the farmer's incomes and welfare from selling and exporting their citrus crops to better paying markets