scholarly journals A survey of plants used by rural small-scale farmers to control pests of cabbage in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nolitha L. Skenjana ◽  
Maxwell A. Poswal
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Pest Control ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Diamondback Moth ◽  
Botanical Insecticides ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Background: Resource-poor small-scale farmers often cannot afford the high prices of chemical insecticides to control pests on crops; as a result, some use botanical insecticides. Aim: The aim of the study was to document ethnobotanical pest control methods used by rural small-scale farmers to control pests of cabbage in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Setting: 217 rural small-scale crop-producing farmers from 14 towns in the Amathole, Joe Gqabi, Alfred Nzo, Chris Hani and OR Tambo Districts participated in the study. Methods: Questionnaires were administered to consenting farmers between July and November in 2012, using the convenience and stratified purposive sampling techniques. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. Results: The majority of farmers using botanical insecticides were females above the age of 60 years. The farmers identified 23 plants, which they use in their pest control strategies against seven pests of cabbage. The annual herb Tagetes minuta L. (Asteraceae) was cited as the most commonly used herb by 47% of the respondents, followed by Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (Chenopodiceae), Aloe ferox Mills. (Asphodelaceae) and Nicotiana tabacum L. (Solanaceae). Various plant parts were used in combinations or alone in the preparation of formulations mainly against aphids, cutworms and the diamondback moth. Conclusion: The plants, plant parts, combinations and formulations used by farmers in their cabbage pest control strategies need to be scientifically authenticated for efficacy.

scholarly journals A documentation of plants used by rural small-scale farmers to control maize pests in the eastern cape province of South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (02) ◽  
pp. 17643-17655
Author(s):  
NL Skenjana ◽  
◽  
AJ Afolayan ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Pest Control ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Control Methods ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Pest Control Methods

Maize(Zea mays L.)small-scale farmers in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa are generally under-resourced, and as a result, their crops are vulnerable to pest attacks. The farmers often cannot afford farming implements and inputs, and tend to improvise with what is freely available in their surroundings. Regarding pests, farmers tend not to follow the conventional use of chemical insecticides and rather use alternative methods of control such as plant-based methods. Plant-based methods that are founded on formulations and plant combinations have been found to be eroding due to lack of documentation. This study sought to document the names of plants used in combinations and formulations and their preparation methods so that they can be further used to set a research agenda specific to affordable pest control methods for the Province. Surveys using the convenience and stratified purposive sampling techniques were conducted in selected rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province in order to investigate the plants, their combinations and formulations used by these farmers to control insect pests of maize. A total of 217 farmers were interviewed. Study protocols adhered to ethical standards set by the EasternCape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, whereas percentages were calculated using Microsoft Excel (2010). Findings revealed that most of the plants used were from familiesSolanaceaeandAsteraceae. The most preferred plant was Chenopodiumambrosioides, a perennial herb from the family Chenopodiceae. Although, several arthropods were mentioned by farmers as pests of maize in their cultivation areas, the predominant targets of formulations and combinations were maize stalk borers. These insects were also cited as most troublesome. The common plant part used in combinations and formulations was the leaves. Thefindingsraisedtheneed for continuous scientific validation and documentation of indigenous pest control methods to bridge the generational gap and increase the range of their use.

scholarly journals Small-Scale Irrigation and Production Efficiency among Vegetable Farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: The DEA Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Douglas Kibirige ◽  
Ajay S. Singh ◽  
Lovemore M. Rugube
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Low Literacy ◽  
Land Reforms ◽  
Dea Approach ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Small Scale Irrigation

Despite the establishment and revitalization of small-scale irrigation schemes, input subsidies and tractor hire schemes in the rural Eastern Cape Province of South Africa productivity among small-scale farmers is recorded low and anticipated to decline. For survival, small-scale farmers have resorted to cultivating high value crops including vegetables. However, their vegetable productivity is far less than the estimated potential yields, and information regarding their production efficiency is limited. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining farmer’s production efficiency to generate meaningful information necessary for designing feasible pro-poor policies aimed at catalysing increased the productivity and rural household incomes. The study was carried out at Qamata and Tyefu irrigation schemes, and approximately 158 farmers were interviewed. The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach was used to generate results. The findings in this article indicated that most farmers are old aged with low literacy levels. Farmers were also allocating few hectares of land for cabbage production with far less application of fertilizers and pesticides compared to the recommended amounts. Farmers at Qamata and Tyefu irrigation schemes are technically, allocatively and economically efficient at 98%, 72% and 77% level, respectively. Thus, for improving the productivity, farmers need to maintain the same technologies and adjust on the amounts of fertilizers, seeds and pesticides used for improving allocative and economic efficiency. Results suggested that this can be achieved through encouraging more youth participation in farming, improved input-agronomic and agribusiness skills, catalysing processes of land reforms, and construction of more dams.

scholarly journals The Digital Era and Rural Economy Development: A Case of Selected Small-Scale Farmers in the Former Transkei Homelands Eastern Cape South Africa

10.31355/80 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 059-074
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Economy ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Services Research ◽  
Rural Economies ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Aim/Purpose: The main objective of this study was to check e-skills, access to and modern ICTs usage among selected small-scale farmers who are major contributors/stakeholders in former Transkei Homeland rural economies Background: The role of agricultural information system to support agricultural development cannot be over emphasis. Demiryurek et al., (2008) explains the importance of agricultural information to be that it interacts with other production factors such as land, labor, capital, and managerial ability which can be improved by relevant, reliable, and useful information supplied by extension services, research institutions and other agricultural organizations to help farmers make better decisions. ICT application in agriculture has become inevitably due to its potential in improving agricultural productivity by serving as a platform to access vital agricultural information. As highlighted by Diekmann et al, (2009) that for agricultural extension educators, agricultural professionals, and any other agricultural agency to effectively disseminate agricultural information to farmers, it is critical for that organisation to identify the medium used by farmers to search for information. Considering Diekmann et al, (2009) assertion, one cannot overlook the variables of access and ability/skills in terms of using a medium because of its potential to affect the choice of medium to use. Methodology: The research design used was a case study since this method enables researcher to closely examine the data within a specific context from a small geographical area. Quantitative (descriptive analysis) and qualitative (thematic analysis) approaches were used to collect data using a structured questionnaire from the small-scale farmers. Participants were selected using purposive sampling approach where the researchers first visited the selected towns to identify the farmers, and then arranged a suitable time to meet them individual to administer and assist the farmers to answer the questionnaire. This made the effective sample of 46 farmers. Findings: In this study to survey small scale farmers in former Transkei Homelands Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, found that while access to modern ICTs tools was established at Smartphone (100%), Tablets (6.52%), Laptop (10.87%), PC (4.35%), Facebook (1.30%), Google or any Internet explorer (93.48%), WhatsApp (91.30%), You Tube (82.61%) there were less used of these mediums with only 4.95%, 8.91% and 7.89% using Internet to acquire their agricultural information needs. The findings also revealed a shortcoming in the area of the surveyed farmer’s e-skills with high percentage indicating “I can’t do this” as reported in Table 3. With regards to challenges encounter by respondents in terms of using modern ICT tools to support their day to day farming activities, respondents cited cost of ICT gadgets and Internet data, lack of ICT skills, unreliability of networks. Impact on Society: In view of the findings it is recommended that developmental agencies charged with developing policies to uplift rural people livelihood include key interventions of provide training to improve e-skills, reduce the data cost and improve internet, network connectivity. It is expected that the results of the study will positively influence the development of rural economies in the Eastern Cape Province and other rural economies in other provinces of South Africa.

scholarly journals Impact of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (J.E. Smith) on small-scale maize farmers and its control strategies in the Limpopo province, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mankwana C. Makgoba ◽  
Phumudzo P. Tshikhudo ◽  
Livhuwani R. Nnzeru ◽  
Rudzani A. Makhado
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Cropping Season ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

South Africa experienced major outbreaks of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), causing direct damage by feeding on both vegetative and reproductive parts of host plant. The study was conducted to determine the level of impact of fall armyworm on small-scale maize famers after the outbreak of fall armyworm and their control strategies at Ga-Mashashane and Mankweng villages in the Limpopo province. Semi-structured questionnaire was designed to gather information on the damage caused by fall armyworm, economic impact on the local market and control measures on fall armyworm. Using a snowball sampling procedure, 63 small-scale maize farmers from the two villages of the Limpopo province, South Africa, were randomly selected for this study. The results showed that all participants could correctly identify the fall armyworm and reported it as the most important maize pest during 2016–2017 cropping season. The maize yield loss experienced by affected farmers in the 2016–2017 cropping season was slightly lower as compared with the 2015–2016 harvest. These farmers used pesticides as a control measure for fall armyworm. Fall armyworm has become a major pest in South Africa and the tackling of fall armyworm by small-scale farmers and averting yield losses is thus critical. This study contributes to the knowledge on fall armyworm management by small-scale farmers, which is essential to enhancing food security.

scholarly journals AGRIBUSINESS CHALLENGES TO EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTRACT FARMING IN COMMERCIALIZATION OF SMALL-SCALE VEGETABLE FARMERS IN EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Musa Khapayi ◽  
Pieter Van Niekerk ◽  
Phillip Retief Celliers
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Contract Farming ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Vegetable Farmers ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Frame Work ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

The study investigated the key factors that influ- ence small-scale vegetable farmers’ participation in contract farming arrangements. A sample of 70 small-scale vegetable farmers and 15 key informants of agribusiness firms involved in contract farming production of vegetables were selected in Amathole and Sarah Baartman (formerly Cacadu) district municipalities in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were chosen as data collection tools to identify the factors that influence small-scale vegetable farmers’ participation in contract farm- ing arrangements with agribusiness firms. The data was ana- lyzed using open multi-stage coding with an inductive frame- work approach. Atlas.ti was used to sort and organize data. The findings indicated availability of farm assets, hydrologi- cal conditions, farming skills and distance of producer to the markets as key determinants of contract farming participation. The use of unmarketable cultivars, inappropriate agricultural practices and inconsistent supply in quality and quantity of vegetables were found to be bottlenecks to contract participa- tion. The study recommends a more meaningful state support and incentives for agribusiness firms; otherwise, growth of small-scale farmers in contract farming is unlikely because of the financial implications for private sector companies.

scholarly journals A questionnaire survey on diseases and problems affecting sheep and goats in communal farming regions of the Eastern Cape province, South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth F. Bath ◽  
Mary-Louise Penrith ◽  
Rhoda Leask
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Business Skills ◽  
Support Programme

A questionnaire of 15 questions was completed by four categories of respondents with the aim of establishing the experience and opinions of these groups on the constraints including animal health problems for communal, small-scale sheep and goat farming in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The questionnaires were completed independently and categories were representative of the areas investigated. Analysis of responses was done by means, ranges, votes and clusters of responses. Comparisons between the responses of the four categories were made to identify similarities or contrasts. The results revealed that of non-veterinary concerns, stock theft was the major problem for these farms. Nutrition was a further major constraint. A third area of significant concern was the provision or availability of facilities like fences, water troughs, dips and sheds. Lack of marketing and business skills were also seen as important deficiencies to be rectified so as to promote profitable farming. Of the most important veterinary problems identified, the provision, availability, cost and care of drugs and vaccines were seen as major stumbling blocks to effective disease control, as well as lack of access to veterinary services. The most important diseases that constrain small-ruminant livestock farming in the farming systems investigated were sheep scab and other ectoparasites, heart water, enterotoxaemia, internal parasites and bluetongue. A lack of knowledge in key areas of small-stock farming was revealed and should be rectified by an effective training and support programme to improve the contribution of small-ruminant farming to livelihoods in these communities.

scholarly journals Detection of Transgenes in Local Maize Varieties of Small-Scale Farmers in Eastern Cape, South Africa

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e116147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Iversen ◽  
Idun M. Grønsberg ◽  
Johnnie van den Berg ◽  
Klara Fischer ◽  
Denis Worlanyo Aheto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Small Scale Farmers
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