Factors Influencing Intensity of Participation in Value Chains of Underutilised Crops Among Smallholder Farmers: A Case Study of Taro Roots and Sweet Potatoes in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa

ABSTRACT Despite their nutritional and agronomic benefits, taro roots, and sweet potatoes remain underutilised in formal agricultural markets. This study investigated the factors influencing smallholder farmers' participation and intensity of participation in the value chains of these crops in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. Using a double‐hurdle regression model on survey data from 300 smallholder farmers, the analysis identified crop‐specific determinants of participation. For sweet potato farmers, location, farm size, and extension visits positively influenced participation, while marital status, irrigation access, and credit access had significant negative effects. In contrast, taro value chain participation was influenced by cultural‐geographic context, market channel choice, and cooperative membership, while credit access and yield had negative effects. Intensity of participation was generally higher for sweet potato producers, reflecting stronger institutional and market support. The findings highlight that value chain integration is shaped by context‐specific socioeconomic, institutional, and infrastructural factors. Policy interventions must therefore consider crop‐specific dynamics and address systemic constraints such as financial service design, extension reach, and market infrastructure to support inclusive value chain participation.