How cooperatives can build the economic muscle of smallholder farmers: a case study of maize farmers in the Eastern Cape

South Africa's agricultural sector is characterized by a dualistic structure, with smallholder farmers struggling to integrate into the global value chain. Despite policies aimed at supporting smallholder farmers, implementation challenges and inadequate targeting of interventions hinder their effectiveness. This article examines the role of cooperatives in supporting smallholder maize farmers in South Africa, using the Eastern Cape as a case study. We recommend strengthening cooperative support programs, improving infrastructure and logistics, and enhancing access to finance and capacity-building initiatives, to improve the economic resilience of smallholder farmers and contribute to the broader growth of the agricultural sector.