Heterogeneous welfare effects of farmer groups in smallholder irrigation schemes in South Africa

Abstract

This paper analyses the heterogeneous effects of membership of a farmer group on access to water, use of inorganic fertiliser, household incomes, and farm asset holdings. A sample of 401 irrigators in South Africa was analysed using propensity score matching. The study found that group membership had a positive effect on all four outcomes. Group members had an extra four days of access to water in a month, and applied at least 130 kg/ha more inorganic fertiliser, than non-group members. Group members had a higher household income per capita and more assets than nongroup members. However, the result revealed a heterogeneous effect among group members, with the benefits varying according to members’ socio-economic characteristics as well as internal group dynamics. The government and private donors should continue to promote the formation and organisation of farmers into groups. The role of group membership in farming outcomes can be enhanced if smaller groups are promoted. It is also crucial that strategies for promoting trust, reciprocity and group commitment be implemented for better group outcomes

The Impact of Smallholder Irrigation Scheme on Household Welfare in Farm-Managed Irrigation Scheme Communities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

“…This implies that an additional hectare of farm size will increase smallholder participation in irrigation schemes to improve household welfare. These results were in line with Phakathi et al (2021), who stated that having access to farmland improves participation in irrigation farming. The marginal effect also confirms that an increase in farm size by an additional hectare will enhance the participation of smallholder farmers by 2%.…”

“…These results aligned with Phakathi et al (2021), who stated that smallholder irrigation in the Eastern Cape Province is practised at a smallholder level, given their input use and available farm size to farmers. The participating farmers in the irrigation scheme took farming as their main occupation, while non-users strictly depended on non-farm activities to generate income.…”

“…The study results have found that smallholder farmers (63%) participate in irrigation schemes to enhance their livelihoods. These results were in line with Phakathi et al (2021). They have governmental support, which is aligned with the South African Government's efforts to revitalise smallholder irrigation schemes in the country, which is seen as a suitable approach to improve the livelihoods of rural areas.…”

“…Education is important in farming as it improves farmers' decision-making knowledge and adoption of new agronomic practices that will increase yields and farm returns. These results aligned with Phakathi et al (2021) that increasing farmer's knowledge through improving farmer's knowledge is important in farming and agribusiness as it enhances farm returns and productivity.…”

Measuring Perceptions and the Drivers of Membership Commitment of Cocoa Farmers’ Cooperative Societies in Atwima Mponua District, Ghana

“…Trust determines the level of cooperation and the success of a cooperative is dependent on the trust and commitment exhibited among members. A conducive atmosphere is needed for them to create and share their opinions (Phakathi et al, 2021;Bernard & Spielman, 2009). An overall average index of 3.71 shows that farmers agree that their cooperatives have a public interest.…”