Files
Abstract
Transformation towards sustainable agri-food systems remains a hot topic due to the pressing need to attain sustainable development-related goals. The paper was designed to uncover the impact of statutory incentives on sustainable transformation of agri-food system in South Africa. We apply behavioural economic method, comprising of psychological attributes and economic- related measures on cross-sectional data obtained from farmers supported through statutory levies and trust funds collected and administered by 14 agricultural industries. The results show that participants are appreciative, socially pressured, and possess high perception of their ability to perform sustainable transformation. Hence, we found a positive endorsement for the impact of statutory incentives on sustainable transformation in agri-food system, regardless of gender distinction. This endorsement is high among older farmers compared to their younger counterparts, and also high in horticulture and field crops compared to livestock sector. Finally, results reveal that sustainable transformation is consistently determined by attitudes, present time, and agreeableness. We conclude that multidisciplinary approach avails more insights on the research agenda for transformation of agri-food systems and tends to yield to better policy options for selection of beneficiaries towards driving sustainable transformation of agri-food system within agricultural industries in South Africa.