Institutional support systems for small-scale farmers at new forest Irrigation Scheme in Mpumalanga, South Africa: constraints and opportunities

Ncube, Bongani

doi:10.17159/2413-3221/2017/v45n2a395

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Poor communication lead to limited involvement of stakeholders and lack of sufficient support on the part of stakeholders. This result is in line with a study by Ncube (2017) [21] on institutional support systems for small-scale farmers at New Forest Irrigation Scheme, which established constraints and opportunities related to the collapse on irrigation scheme farms. It is highly recommended that relationship between farmers and government be restored and strengthened.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Business Trust & DPLG (2007) [4] noted that famers who had never picked up essential skills and knowledge on irrigation scheme farming had little chances of being sustainable in this farming sector. Thus, skills and knowledge play a crucial role in influencing farmers' strengths (Ncube, 2017) [21] . Farmers with low farming skills and high transaction costs were more likely at risk of producing lower quality produce and fail to access formal markets.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Reasons for the collapse of irrigation schemes in South Africa: A case of Saringwa irrigation scheme in Mpumalanga province, South Africa

TD,

2022

Int. J. Agric. Extension Social Dev.

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The key purpose of introducing smallholder irrigation schemes in the rural areas of South Africa was to increase food production, improve and sustain livelihoods of rural communities. The Saringwa Citrus Estate in Mpumalanga Province was chosen for the study. The main objective of the present study was to identify reasons for the collapse of irrigation schemes. The data was collected through interviews with farmers. The study reveals that irrigation scheme farms are collapsing due to various issues being; high transaction costs (100%), poor communication with key stakeholders (90%), poor-quality produce (80%), lack of title to land (75%), low farming skills (60%) and lack of business plans amongst youth participating in this farming sector. The collapse also contributes to poverty, food insecurity and unemployment due to lack of stable production and income realised from sales. Policies that promote revitalization of irrigation scheme farming that promote production of high-quality produce are recommended for combating the collapse of this farming sector.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reasons for the collapse of irrigation schemes in South Africa: A case of Saringwa irrigation scheme in Mpumalanga province, South Africa

TD,

2022

Int. J. Agric. Extension Social Dev.

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“…A number of studies have observed several challenges contributing to reduced maize productivity, such as, combined effects of abiotic and biotic stresses, highly variable environmental conditions, use of inappropriate maize varieties and limited resources (Mbuti, 2000;Bennett, 2002;Fanadzo et al, 2009;Jacobson, 2013;Tandzi et al, 2015). Additionally, extension services for smallholder farmers in South Africa have been fraught with challenges such as lack of meaningful contact with farmers, outdated extension methods, low numbers of staff and low aptitudes of extension staff (Ncube 2017). Information on maize productivity in rural EC has largely relied on informal surveys.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hoeng et al (2002), extension services can be more robust when farmers' perceptions and practices are taken into account. An effective extension system should be able to mobilize the social capital of the communities through grouping of farmers with similar circumstances to enable them to either benefit from synergies, or to make it easier for training and sharing of information (Ncube, 2017). Adesehinwa et al (2004) stated that, understanding socio-economic factors can help in seeking solutions to reduced productivity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of maize growing farmers, varietal use and constraints to increase productivity in selected villages in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa

Chimonyo¹,

Mutengwa²,

Chiduza³

et al. 2020

S Afr. Jnl. Agric. Ext.

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The need to increase self-sufficiency of rural agricultural systems has been a centre of focus for many extension programs aimed at rural development and improved livelihoods. Numerous biotic, abiotic and socio-economic factors affect maize production for resource poor farmers in the Eastern Cape (EC), which is one of the poorest Provinces in South Africa. Focus group discussions and semi-structured questionnaires were used to identify farmer characteristics, and specific production constraints influencing maize productivity in Jixini and Mkhwezo villages, of O. R. Tambo District in the EC Province. Elderly farmers who are above 56 years dominated the studied farming communities. The predominant varieties used were local landraces (53%) followed by hybrids (31%) and improved open pollinated varieties (OPVs) (11%). Farmers preferred local landraces as they were considered more palatable. Unmarried farmers were the least productive farmer group due to shortages of labour, use of landrace varieties and inadequate fertilizer. The main production constraints faced by farmers, were too much rain, pests and diseases infestation, drought stress due to climate change, and lack of fencing of the out-fields. Increasing the involvement of youths in agricultural activities could improve maize productivity. Maize breeding programs should solicit information on farmer-preferred traits and incorporate them into the improved varieties to enhance their desirability and adoption. Targeting of varieties should be guided by the most common constraints affecting maize productivity in a specific location rather than issuing blanket recommendations. Additionally, agricultural extension programs could improve their service delivery by having good knowledge of target-farmer traits, their farming practices and prevailing constraints. Information in this manuscript can go a long way in improving extension service delivery in the EC Province of the country. Keywords: Maize; Focus Group Discussions; Socio-Economic; Rural Livelihood, Agricultural extension

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Assessing the performance of cooperatives in post-apartheid South Africa: Evidence from the literature

Emmanuel

2023

Development Southern Africa

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Institutional support systems for small-scale farmers at new forest Irrigation Scheme in Mpumalanga, South Africa: constraints and opportunities

Cited by 5 publications

References 8 publications

Reasons for the collapse of irrigation schemes in South Africa: A case of Saringwa irrigation scheme in Mpumalanga province, South Africa

Reasons for the collapse of irrigation schemes in South Africa: A case of Saringwa irrigation scheme in Mpumalanga province, South Africa

Characteristics of maize growing farmers, varietal use and constraints to increase productivity in selected villages in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa

Assessing the performance of cooperatives in post-apartheid South Africa: Evidence from the literature

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