scholarly journals DETERMINANTS OF USE OF FARM MECHANIZATION SERVICES IN EMERGING FARMERS, NORTH WEST PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa Rubhara
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Land Tenure ◽  
Land Reform ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Tobit Regression ◽  
North West ◽  
Support Programme ◽  
North West Province ◽  
Farm Mechanization ◽  
The Government

There are low levels of farm mechanization in South Africa despite government efforts to improve access to infrastructure and finance through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP). The objective of this study is to assess the levels of mechanisation in the emerging sector and the determinants thereof. The sample size consisted of 163 randomly selected maize and sunflower emerging farmers in North West Province. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to assess level of mechanization and the Tobit regression model was used to analyze factors that influence usage of farm machinery. The study revealed that variables including land tenure (p < 0.05), financial assistance (p < 0.01), access to loans (p < 0.05), and accessibility to road infrastructure (p < 0.01) positively influenced usage of mechanization. In addition, the variable age (p < 0.01) had a negative statistically significant influence on farm mechanization. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that the government should consider scaling up the CASP to finance more farmers and review its land reform policy to ensure ownership of land to more young smallholder farmers who can use mechanization services for efficient agricultural production.

scholarly journals Review: Challenges and opportunities for revitalising smallholder irrigation schemes in South Africa

Water SA ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (3 July) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Fanadzo ◽  
B Ncube
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Land Tenure ◽  
Government Policy ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
The Government ◽  
Smallholder Irrigation

South Africa is classified as a water-scarce country, and depends on agriculture for food production. The irrigation sector is the largest consumer of water in the country, accounting for about 62% of water utilisation, but also losing 30–40%. Given the threat of drought and climate change, efficient irrigation systems have become a necessity, especially in the smallholder farming sector where most losses occur. Smallholder irrigation schemes (SIS) were developed to improve rural livelihoods through sustainable food production for food security and poverty alleviation, but these development objectives remain largely unfulfilled. The objectives of this review were to assess challenges facing SIS and explore opportunities for revitalising the schemes. The focus was on government policy and strategies to support smallholder farmers. A review of government policy showed that although the needs and interests of smallholder farmers are high on the national agenda, there is insufficient financial support to the sector, suggesting that smallholder agriculture is not really seen as a potential driver of the economy. The core focus of the government on repairing irrigation infrastructure while neglecting the soft components relating to capacity building has partly been blamed for the failure of SIS in South Africa. Capacity building is one of the missing links in smallholder irrigation development and many failures have been attributed to lack of adequately trained farmers and extension staff, particularly in irrigation water management. Land tenure insecurity has been singled out as a major institutional challenge leading to poor performance of irrigation schemes. The diversity of schemes means that different kinds of interventions are needed to respond to varying farmers’ needs, resources and agricultural contexts. These findings point to the need to balance the soft and hard components of the irrigation schemes for sustainability. It is therefore evident that the government needs to review its priorities in revitalisation of SIS. Land tenure policies allowing increased access to arable land need to be developed urgently, together with the promotion of alternative cropping systems that are suitable forthe smallholder farming sector.

scholarly journals Performance of land reform projects in the North West province of South Africa: Changes over time and possible causes

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 442-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann Kirsten ◽  
Charles Machethe ◽  
Talent Ndlovu ◽  
Pascalina Lubambo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Land Reform ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
North West Province ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time

scholarly journals Classification and characterisation of smallholder farmers in South Africa: a brief review

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-106
Author(s):  
Carelson ◽  
Ncube ◽  
Fanadzo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Predominantly White ◽  
South African ◽  
Land Reform ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Access To Water ◽  
The Government

The South African agricultural sector has experienced various transformation processes over the past 25 years, from a predominantly white commercial sector to a black focused sector with an emphasis on smallholder farming. The government is committed to supporting the smallholder farming sector through interventions that include land reform and access to water, amongst others. Despite these efforts, smallholder farmers remain vulnerable, especially during drought periods. Smallholder farmers are not homogeneous; instead, they are diverse, and their farming needs also differ according to their livelihood needs. Due to the diversity of smallholder farmers, it is difficult for the government to effectively respond to their needs. The 2015–2018 drought is a case in point. This paper assesses the challenges of defining and classifying smallholder farmers in South Africa. The complex Western Cape classification system is presented as a case study. The study concludes that there is a need for a simpler method of grouping the smallholder farmers based on their livelihoods to develop relevant support systems.

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