EXPANSION STRATEGIES IN THE AGRO-PROCESSING SECTOR FOR SMALL-SCALE AGRO-PROCESSORS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

The study was aimed at developing strategies for expansion by small-scale agro-processors in South Africa. This article purports that post-colonial states are organizations that choose to develop citizens in alignment with their needs, and such is the responsibility of post-colonial South African governments towards agro-processors. The study utilizes a quantitative research approach, and data was collected using a questionnaire. A total of 503 small-scale agro-processors from Gauteng, Limpopo, North West, Free State, and Mpumalanga Provinces of South Africa participated in the study. Factor analysis was used to identify the factor loading of the latent variables (unobserved variables), and Structural Equation Modelling (S.E.M.) was used to determine critical tenets for small-scale agro-processors. The study utilized an exploratory research design and a quantitative research approach. Data for this study were collected from 503 respondents across fi ve provinces of South Africa. A stratifi ed probability random sampling technique was used in the selection of respondents across the fi ve provinces. Practically, the study developed a strategic framework for economic empowerment for small-scale agro-processing in South Africa. This study concludes that small-scale agro-processors of South Africa are still struggling with strategic economic empowerment despite existing support from the government in the form of policies. The study recommends that the review of policy and government programmes to support small-scale agro-processors should consider factors for strategic economic empowerment as identifi ed in the framework