Integration of Indigenous Knowledge, Climate Data, Satellite Imagery and Machine Learning to Optimize Cropping Decisions by Small-Scale Farmers. a Case Study of uMgungundlovu District Municipality, South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 3-19
Author(s):  
John Nyetanyane ◽  
Muthoni Masinde
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Satellite Imagery ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

A netchain development perspective on woolfarmers' associations in poor communities: a case study in South Africa

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-20
Author(s):  
Marijke D'Haese ◽  
Guido Van Huylenbroeck ◽  
O. Doyer ◽  
Mieke Calus
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Income Sources ◽  
Access To Technology ◽  
Income Generating Activities ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Development Perspective ◽  
Chain Links ◽  
Important Activity

In this article we describe an initiative from the local wool growing industry to integrate small-scale farmers in the wool chain in the Transkei area, one of the former homelands of South Africa. These communities are poor and sustain their livelihoods from diverse income sources, primarily pensions and remittances; therefore income-generating activities are needed to alleviate poverty. In this light, agriculture remains an important activity for many of the rural poor in former homelands to generate food and cash. Small-scale farmers, however, face many challenges, such as inadequate access to technology, credit, land and markets. The local associations are a mechanism for collective access to technology, post-harvest handling and marketing, and are supported by a development initiative from the National Woolgrowers' Association (NWGA). The aim of this research note is to discuss our research into the difficulties woolgrowers in the Transkei area encounter in their production and market environment and to provide insights into how collective action by farmers' associations can contribute to access the most basic chain links.

MECHANIZATION OF POTATO GRADING ON SMALL-SCALE FARMS: A CASE STUDY FROM PERU

2005 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. BUTLER ◽  
T. BERNET ◽  
K. MANRIQUE
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Market Integration ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Agricultural Products ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Critical Aspect ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Important Cash Crop

Potatoes are an important cash crop for small-scale producers worldwide. The move away from subsistence to commercialized farming, combined with the rapid growth in demand for processed agricultural products in developing countries, implies that small-scale farmers and researchers alike must begin to respond to these market changes and consider post-harvest treatment as a critical aspect of the potato farming system. This paper presents and assesses a low cost potato-grading machine that was designed explicitly to enable small-scale potato growers to sort tubers by size for supply to commercial processors. The results of ten experiments reveal that the machine achieves an accuracy of sort similar to commercially available graders. The machine, which uses parallel conical rollers, has the capacity to grade different tuber shapes and to adjust sorting classes, making it suitable for locations with high potato diversity. Its relatively low cost suggests that an improved and adapted version of this machine might enhance market integration of small-scale potato producers not only in Peru, but in other developing countries as well.

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