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Article History

Received: 7 May 2025

Accepted: 8 September 2025

First Online: 22 September 2025

Declarations

:

: Ethical clearance for this study was formally approved by the University of Pretoria Research Ethics Committee (Approval number NAS097/2024), ensuring the protection of participants’ rights and confidentiality. The study was conducted in accordance with relevant ethical guidelines and regulations. Throughout data analysis and reporting, the anonymity of participants’ identities was rigorously maintained. Furthermore, verbal informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to their involvement in the study, as this was deemed most appropriate given the rural settings and literacy levels of the smallholder farmers involved. Participants were fully informed about the purpose and nature of the study, and the researcher documented their consent. The study was conducted in accordance with the approved ethics clearance.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.