scholarly journals Impact of Agricultural Drought Resilience on the Welfare of Smallholder Livestock Farming Households in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 562
Author(s):  
Ringetani Matlou ◽  
Yonas T. Bahta ◽  
Enoch Owusu-Sekyere ◽  
Henry Jordaan
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agricultural Drought ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Drought Resilience ◽  
Resilience Index ◽  
Northern Cape ◽  
Livestock Farmers ◽  
Farming Households

Recurring agricultural droughts are of concern to smallholder livestock farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study determined the impact of agricultural drought resilience on smallholder livestock farming households’ welfare in the Frances Baard District Municipality (FBDM), in Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Interviews, more specifically survey interviews, were conducted with 207 smallholder livestock farmers. We used compensation variation, resilience index and linear regression models to analyse the data. The findings indicate that smallholder farmers who received drought relief support saw an improvement in their welfare. However, the welfare improvements varied across respondents and different gender categories, with males having higher welfare improvements relative to females. The study also found that economic capital, social capital, human capital and natural capital substantially affected the welfare of smallholder farmers. Furthermore, the study revealed that the smallholder farmers had a moderate agricultural drought resilience index, but low natural resilience capital. The study recommends that governments and non-governmental policymakers aiming to improve the welfare of smallholder farmers should focus on building their economic, social, human and capital resource bases. In this way, the smallholder farmers will be resilient in a time of climatic shock.

scholarly journals Perception of agricultural drought resilience in South Africa: A case of smallholder livestock farmers

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yonas T. Bahta
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
National Level ◽  
Provincial Government ◽  
Agricultural Drought ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Drought Resilience ◽  
Livestock Farmers ◽  
Sampling Procedures

Worldwide drought has significance and continues to pose long-lasting effects on the agricultural sector, including South Africa. The recurring drought is a major challenge to smallholder livestock farmers in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. This study assesses the perception of smallholder livestock farmers towards agricultural drought resilience. The study utilised a perception index score using primary data collected from 207 smallholder livestock farmers following a structured questionnaire survey and multistage sampling procedures. The study found that the average perception index of the role of social networks and government to enhance agricultural drought resilience was negative, which implied that their role in enhancing resilience towards agricultural drought was insufficient. However, the perception of smallholder livestock farmers on the role of social networks was lower than the role of government. This study recommends coordination and cooperation amongst all role players to reinforce strategies to enhance smallholder livestock farmers’ resilience. This includes coordinator amongst the local, provincial government, African Farmers’ Association of South Africa, extension officers, private sectors, monitoring agencies in terms of reliable early warning information and communication amongst decision-makers. Collaboration amongst government departments at the national and provincial levels should be strengthening to enhance farmer’s resilience. The collaboration includes the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries at the national level, Provincial Departments of Agriculture, National and Provincial Disaster Management Centres, South African Weather Service and Department of Water Affairs. Smallholder livestock farmers’ awareness of the significance of social networking and government participation should be promoted.

scholarly journals A review of possibilities for using animal tracking devices to mitigate stock theft in smallholder livestock farming systems in rural South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 162-182
Author(s):  
S. Zantsi ◽  
T. Nkunjana
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Animal Tracking ◽  
Livestock Farmers ◽  
Tracking Devices ◽  
The Impact

Stock theft is among the major challenges faced by livestock farmers in South Africa. It has severe consequences especially for smallholder farmers, who collectively own a large share of the South African livestock herds but individually keep small herds. In recent years, technological improvements and innovations have made it possible to track livestock movements by using GPS animal tracking devices. Low-cost GPS has been developed and used elsewhere and in the local commercial sector. Given the well-known role of extension, i.e. information and technology dissemination, the possibility that smallholders adopt GPS animal tracking devices should be evaluated. However, very few studies have made a case for using this technology in curbing stock theft among smallholder farmers. This review therefore addresses the likelihood that smallholder livestock farmers in South Africa adopt GPS animal tracking devices to mitigate the impact of stock theft. Using a semi-systematic and a snowball literature review approach, we consulted and reviewed the relevant literature and official statistics relating to stock theft and smallholder livestock farming. Results from the reviewed literature suggest that the likelihood of GPS animal tracking device adoption by smallholders will depend on a) the awareness about the devices and how they work, b) the acuteness of stock theft for a farmer and how livestock contributes the farmer’s livelihood, and c) the income level, access to mobile phones and risk behaviour of farmers. Our literature findings identify areas for future research and may help agricultural extension personnel with future research topics.

The impact of climate change on net revenue and food adequacy of subsistence farming households in South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byela Tibesigwa ◽  
Martine Visser ◽  
Jane Turpie
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Subsistence Farming ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
Mixed Crop ◽  
Net Revenue ◽  
Livestock Farmers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Farming Households

AbstractThis paper examines the impact of climate change on poor households across South Africa who practise subsistence farming to supplement their household income and dietary requirements. We consider three production systems: specialized crops, livestock and mixed crop-livestock farming. In general, we find specialized crop farmers to be the most vulnerable, while mixed crop-livestock farmers appear to be least vulnerable, suggesting that crop-livestock diversification is a potential coping strategy among poor subsistence farming households. We observe qualitatively similar results when we use self-reported food adequacy as the outcome. Furthermore, predicted impact shows that the climatic changes will be mildly harmful at first but will grow over time and lead to a 151 per cent loss in net revenue by the year 2080. Interestingly, we observe that crop farmers receive higher revenue when land is owned by the household, while on the other hand, livestock farmers earn more revenue when the land is communal.

scholarly journals Determinants of Smallholder Livestock Farmers’ Household Resilience to Food Insecurity in South Africa

Climate ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Vuyiseka A. Myeki ◽  
Yonas T. Bahta
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Agricultural Drought ◽  
Drought Resilience ◽  
Livestock Farmers ◽  
The Government

This study identified factors affecting livestock farmers’ agricultural drought resilience to food insecurity in Northern Cape Province, South Africa. Data of 217 smallholder livestock farmers were used in a principal component analysis to estimate the agricultural drought resilience index. The structural equation approach was then applied to assess smallholder livestock farmers’ resilience to food insecurity. The study found that most smallholder livestock farmers (81%) were not resilient to agricultural drought. Assets (β = 0.150), social safety nets (β = 0.001), and adaptive capacity (β = 0.171) indicators positively impacted households’ resilience to food insecurity with 5% significance. Climate change indicators negatively impacted households’ resilience to food insecurity. Two variables were included under climate change, focusing on drought, namely drought occurrence (β = −0.118) and drought intensity (β = −0.021), which had a negative impact on household resilience to food insecurity with 10% significance. The study suggests that smallholder livestock farmers need assistance from the government and various stakeholders to minimize vulnerability and boost their resilience to food insecurity.

scholarly journals Are smallholder farmers’ perceptions of climate variability supported by climatological evidence? Case study of a semi-arid region in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 571-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maropene Tebello Rapholo ◽  
Lawrence Diko Makia
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Arid Region ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Semi Arid Region ◽  
Semi Arid

Purpose Literature contends that not much is known about smallholder farmers’ perceptions of climate variability and the impacts thereof on agricultural practices in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa in particular. The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions of smallholder farmers from Botlokwa (a semi-arid region in South Africa) on climate variability in relation to climatological evidence. Design/methodology/approach The study area is in proximity to a meteorological station and comprises mainly rural farmers, involved in rain-fed subsistence agriculture. Focus group discussions and closed-ended questionnaires covering demographics and perceptions were administered to 125 purposely sampled farmers. To assess farmers’ perceptions of climate variability, their responses were compared with linear trend and variability of historical temperature and rainfall data (1985-2015). Descriptive statistics were used to provide insights into respondents’ perceptions. Findings About 64% of the farmers perceived climate variability that was consistent with the meteorological data, whereas 36% either held contrary observations or were unable to discern. Age, level of education, farming experience and accessibility to information influenced the likelihood of farmers to correctly perceive climate variability. No significant differences in perception based on gender were observed. This study concludes that coping and adaption strategies of over one-third of the farmers could be negatively impacted by wrong perceptions of climate variability. Originality/value This study highlights discrepancies in perceptions among farmers with similar demographic characteristics. To guarantee sustainability of the sector, intervention by government and other key stakeholders to address underlying factors responsible for observed discrepancies is recommended.

Determinants of smallholder farmers’ adoption of short-term and long-term sustainable land management practices

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moses Mosonsieyiri Kansanga ◽  
Isaac Luginaah ◽  
Rachel Bezner Kerr ◽  
Laifolo Dakishoni ◽  
Esther Lupafya
Keyword(s):  
Land Management ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sustainable Land Management ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Plot Size ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
Farming Households

Abstract Despite increasing land degradation in sub-Saharan Africa, investment in sustainable land management (SLM) remains low. Empirical evidence show that smallholder farmers tend to prioritize investing in SLM practices with short-term turnover—e.g., composting and crop residue integration—in order to improve soil fertility and yields to the neglect of practices like agroforestry whose benefits tend to materialize in a relatively longer period. While it is crucial for farmers to prioritize both short-term and long-term SLM practices for the maintenance of overall ecosystem health, the factors that shape the concurrent adoption of short-term and long-term SLM practices remain underexplored. Using data from a cross-sectional survey with smallholder farming households (n = 512) in Malawi, we employed logistic regression to examine the determinants of the concurrent adoption of short-term and long-term SLM practices. Our findings show that plot size, farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing, presence of a chronically ill person in the household, active household labor size, wealth and women's autonomy are noteworthy determinants. A unit increase in plot size was associated with increased odds (OR = 1.41, p < 0.01) of simultaneously adopting short-term and long-term SLM practices. Similarly, a unit increase in the active labor size of the household (OR = 1.30, p < 0.001) was positively associated with the concurrent adoption of short-term and long-term SLM practices. Households with no chronically sick person were 3.2 times more likely to adopt short-term and long-term SLM practices simulataneously compared to those with chronically sick persons. Farming households that exchanged farming information (OR = 2.50, p < 0.001) with other households had significantly higher odds of adopting short-term and long-term SLM practices concurrently than those that did not share farming information. Compared to households in the poorest wealth category, those in the richer (OR = 3.14, p < 0.001) and richest (OR = 3.64, p < 0.001) wealth categories were both significantly more likely to adopt short-term and long-term SLM practices concurrently. These findings suggest that initiatives targeted at promoting the holistic adoption of SLM practices—a combination of both short-term and long-term practices—must pay attention to contextual nuances including household wealth, gender, farmer training and land access dynamics.

Benefits obtained from cattle by smallholder farmers: a case study of Limpopo Province, South Africa

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 825 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Stroebel ◽  
F. J. C. Swanepoel ◽  
N. D. Nthakheni ◽  
A. E. Nesamvuni ◽  
G. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Meat Consumption ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Wealth Status ◽  
Livestock Farmers ◽  
Vhembe District

A survey of livestock production systems was conducted in the Vhembe District, located between 22°85′ latitude and 30°71′ longitude in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The objective of the study was to investigate the benefits obtained from, and key functions of, cattle production, as well as related breeding objectives in smallholder livestock production in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Data were collected by means of a general survey questionnaire and a participatory rural appraisal (PRA) exercise. The results indicate that almost 60% of farmers own < 10 cattle. Female animals constituted the largest component of the herd (55.02%). Although the bull : cow ratio was extremely high (1 : 3.7), the calving rate was low at 35.60%, with an extremely high herd mortality of 15.70% and a low off-take of 8.70%. In a pairwise ranking, the benefits obtained from cattle by smallholder livestock farmers are as follows: selling and meat consumption (4), wealth, status and savings (3), socio-cultural activities (2) and draught power (1). The ‘cattle complex’, where cattle are kept for prestige and status, is still appropriate, but cattle also make significant contributions in respect to selling and meat consumption, and arable inputs such as draft and fertiliser. It is concluded that benefits obtained from cattle form the basis of decision-making by smallholder cattle owners with respect to livestock production.

scholarly journals Production Efficiencies of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) Insured and Non-NAIC Insured Livestock Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-55
Author(s):  
Ojetunde Babatunde Stephen ◽  
Emmanuel Egbodo Boheje Odum ◽  
Adewumi Olaniyi Matthew
Keyword(s):  
Stochastic Frontier Analysis ◽  
Stochastic Frontier ◽  
Male Dominance ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Agricultural Insurance ◽  
Frontier Analysis ◽  
Livestock Farmers ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Farming Households ◽  
Production Efficiencies

This study used structured questionnaire to randomly collect data from livestock farmers insured under the NAIC scheme and their counterparts not under the NAIC scheme in Kwara State. The study comparatively examined their socio-economic characteristics and production efficiencies using The Stochastic Frontier Analysis and t-test. Results from the study showed that not enough youths participate in livestock production in the study area and it is a male dominated activity. A lot of non-beneficiaries of the NAIC intervention scheme are not members of cooperatives and losing out in the benefits of cooperative membership. The insured farmers are more efficient compared to those that were not insured with both having potentials for increasing their efficiency of production at the moment. The study therefore recommend that youths of ages 35years and below be encourage and provided some incentives to participate in livestock farming as well as women to check the gender imbalance of male dominance. Awareness of NAIC intervention schemes is created for livestock farmers who are not registered for the scheme while beneficiaries are made ambassadors of the scheme to have it promoted to non-beneficiaries. Livestock farmers that do not belong to any cooperative are recommended to form or belong to one so as to access the benefits of belonging to a cooperative group. The study also recommends that stakeholders in the Nigerian Agricultural insurance subsector develop strategies that will encourage much participation in their insurance interventions and also create more awareness among farming households to encourage participation in the program.

scholarly journals A Review of Climate-Smart Agriculture Technology Adoption by Farming Households in Sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 12130
Author(s):  
Richard Kombat ◽  
Paolo Sarfatti ◽  
Oluwole Abiodun Fatunbi
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Positive Outcome ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Nutrition Security ◽  
Food And Nutrition ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Smart Agriculture ◽  
Farming Households

Climate change is a major constraint to the progress of Africa’s agriculture, food, and nutrition security; its effect is tied to geographical position and driven by the limited adaptive capacity of the agricultural households. The most vulnerable stakeholder group are the smallholder farming households with limited resources and knowledge of adaptation and mitigation techniques. Sub-Saharan Africa owns more than 60% of the world’s arable land with over 85% of the farmers being smallholder farmers, who are predisposed to various risks. This paper analyzes the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) processes and technologies by smallholder farming households in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study used mixed methods and an integrative literature review. This review indicated that the knowledge of CSA technologies by smallholder farmers in Africa is increasing and, thus, concerted efforts to continuously generate CSA technology would contribute to the desired positive outcome. To accelerate the pace of adoption and use of the technologies, the linkage of farmers, researchers, and extension practitioners is needed. Measures should also be put in place to ensure that CSA actions are implemented using bottom-up approaches.

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