Assessing the Impact of Privatizing Public Agricultural Extension Services on Smallholder Farmers’ Performance: A Case Study of Thulamela and Collins Chabane Municipalities, South Africa

Privatizing agricultural extension services is increasingly implemented to improve efficiency, market responsiveness, and agricultural productivity. This study evaluates the effects of privatizing public agricultural extension services on the performance of smallholder farmers in the Thulamela and Collins Chabane Municipalities, South Africa. Employing a mixed-method research design, data were collected from 319 smallholder farmers using structured surveys and analyzed with descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models. The results indicate that privatized extension services significantly enhance farm productivity and income, with farmers accessing these services substantially more than their counterparts relying on public extension services. Essential determinants impacting farm performance include timely feedback from extension services, market accessibility, cooperative membership, and adopting climate-smart agricultural practices. Nonetheless, the study highlights challenges associated with privatization, particularly regarding affordability and accessibility for resource-poor smallholders. The findings underscore the necessity for a structured policy framework that effectively integrates private and public extension services, promoting equitable access to quality advisory support. Bolstering market-oriented extension models while simultaneously addressing inclusivity concerns is crucial for boosting resilience and productivity among smallholder farmers. These insights contribute meaningfully to ongoing discussions surrounding sustainable agricultural extension reforms in developing economies.