Scenarios for Sustainable Farming Systems for Macadamia Nuts and Mangos Using a Systems Dynamics Lens in the Vhembe District, Limpopo South Africa

Abstract

Agriculture is arguably one of the most important economic sectors for South Africa’s development as it is directly linked to food security. Farming systems in South Africa have been characterized by a duality where large-scale commercial farmers and small-scale farmers co-exist. The conventional approach to understanding agricultural production in the country has always viewed the two farming systems as mutually exclusive. The study argues that there are various points of interaction between the two kinds of farmers and by using a systems dynamics approach to evaluate the two farming systems this can be applied to agricultural decision making. Data were used to identify and characterise small- and large-scale farming systems of two tree crops (mangos—Mangifera indica L. and macadamia nuts—Macadamia integrifolia M&B.) in the Vhembe district of Limpopo South Africa. The interactions between the two different farmers are illustrated using Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) of the two farming systems under similar commodities. Results, presented as four conceptual scenarios, show that there are multiple points of interaction, such as the interdependence of farmers of macadamia nuts to meet export demands. Policy recommendations to strengthen collaboration between small-scale mango farmers and implement irrigation expansion for farmers who depend on rain-fed farming are discussed and present opportunities for the co-functioning of the two farming systems.

Sustainable Agriculture: Theories, Methods, Practices and Policies

“…The authors proposed that small-scale rice farmers are the main body of agricultural production and yet lack modern agricultural technology and knowledge; therefore, the government should pay more attention to and train small-scale farmers to ensure national food security and promote agricultural sustainability. From the perspective of system dynamics, Mary Scholes et al [15] analyzed and evaluated the small-scale and large-scale farming systems of mangoes and nuts in the Vhembe district of Limpopo South Africa, and found that small-scale and large-scale farming systems can work together to achieve food security at all levels. They also proposed that large-scale and small-scale farming systems work collaboratively rather than independently.…”

Can small-scale farming systems serve as an economic engine in the former homelands of South Africa?

“…In both regions, households farmed on communal land and none of them owned the land, which is common in other South African homelands as well (Kepe and Tessaro, 2014). Farming in the communities was primarily pursued by older women, as is generally the case in small-scale farming across the country (Mkuhlani et al, 2019;Materechera and Scholes, 2022). However, the farming systems in the two regions differed, particularly in the dependency of households on farming for food provisioning.…”

“…The differences between these regions demonstrate the important knowledge gap regarding-how, under what context, and which forms of agricultural interventions-may complement rural development efforts and contribute to the rural economy. This is of great consequence, especially to the country's ongoing land reform debates (Materechera and Scholes, 2022).…”