Vol. 2007 No. 1 (2007)

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Methodological Evaluation of Smallholder Farm Systems in South Africa Using Difference-in-Differences Models for Yield Improvement Measurement

Makwazi Cele, North-West University Sikhulubuntu Mphuthi, Department of Research, North-West University Gqiragqa Tshabalala, North-West University
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18847662
Published: August 25, 2007

Abstract

Smallholder farming systems in South Africa have been subject to various interventions aimed at improving agricultural productivity and sustainability. The analysis will critically evaluate existing DID model applications in South African contexts, highlighting their strengths and limitations. A specific application of a DID model revealed that intervention-based treatments increased yields by an average of 15% across the studied regions, with significant reductions in uncertainty around these estimates (95% CI: -20% to +4%). DID models offer robust tools for assessing yield improvements, but their effectiveness depends on data quality and treatment design. Future research should prioritise longitudinal studies and comprehensive datasets to enhance the reliability of DID model applications in smallholder contexts. The empirical specification follows $Y=\beta_0+\beta^\top X+\varepsilon$, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.

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How to Cite

Makwazi Cele, Sikhulubuntu Mphuthi, Gqiragqa Tshabalala (2007). Methodological Evaluation of Smallholder Farm Systems in South Africa Using Difference-in-Differences Models for Yield Improvement Measurement. African Environmental Geography (Environmental/Earth Science), Vol. 2007 No. 1 (2007). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18847662

Keywords

Sub-SaharanSmallholderInterventionsDifferentialsEvaluationMethodologySustainability

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Vol. 2007 No. 1 (2007)
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African Environmental Geography (Environmental/Earth Science)

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