Socio-economic factors affecting adoption of improved agricultural practices by small scale farmers in South Africa

Abstract

Improved crop production forms an integral part of the intervention proposals of the UN MillenniumProject to eradicate poverty and hunger in southern Africa. The objective of this study was to collect information on socio-economic aspects and farming practices that could affect adoption of improved agricultural practices. This study highlights the importance of appreciating the complexity of agricultural systems into which development agencies and researchers want to introduce improved technologies. Farmer surveys conducted in dryland and irrigation systems in Limpopo province of South Africa were used to describe the farming communities and identify factors that may affect adoption of improved crop production practices. Surveys involved 367 farmers in seven villages between 2000 and 2003. Surprisingly the incidence of mechanised cultivation was very high. Adoption of new technology in the form of Napier grass trap crops was significantly higher amongst farmers that relied only on farming as a source of income. There were no significant relationships between adoption of improved technologies and farmer age, off-farm income and cultivation methods. These factors are used to illustrate the complexity of agricultural systems and how certain aspects may affect and the role that certain farmer profiles may play in adoption/non-adoption of improved crop production strategies. It is concluded that there may be a lack of need and political will to develop strategies to improve crop production.