scholarly journals Smallholder irrigation schemes in South Africa: A review of knowledge generated by the Water Research Commission

Water SA ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
W Van Averbeke ◽  
J Denison ◽  
PNS Mnkeni
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Research ◽  
Smallholder Irrigation

The Role of Capital Assets and Institutions in the Success and Failure of Smallholder Irrigation Schemes in South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Muchara ◽  
B. Letty ◽  
A. Obi ◽  
P. Masika ◽  
G. Ortmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Capital Assets ◽  
Smallholder Irrigation

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 Determinants of farmer awareness of water governance across gender dimensions in smallholder irrigation schemes in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Water SA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (2 April) ◽  
Author(s):  
SF Dlangalala ◽  
M Mudhara
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Policy ◽  
Water Governance ◽  
Stakeholder Participation ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Water Institutions ◽  
Smallholder Irrigation

Water is a vital resource for irrigated agricultural production. Its availability and accessibility are critical for alleviating poverty and achieving food security in rural households. However, smallholder irrigated agriculture in South Africa faces limited water supply emanating from scheme governance problems, with weak institutional arrangements that fail to equitably and effectively govern water resources. South African water policy has been transforming over the years. However, statutory laws remain unknown in smallholder irrigation schemes. This study sought to assess farmer awareness of water governance and identify the determinants of farmer awareness of water governance dimensions across gender dimensions in Mooi River, Tugela Ferry, and Ndumo irrigation schemes. The study employed principal component analysis to generate water governance indices, that is, formal institutions, the existence and effectiveness of scheme constitutions, scheme committees and enforcement of informal rules in the scheme. The ordinary least square regression technique was then used to identify factors determining farmer awareness of formal and informal water institutions in the three irrigation schemes. The findings suggest that formal water institutions are unknown and factors such as household characteristics, scheme location, stakeholder participation and involvement in scheme decision-making processes significantly influence awareness of governance. Therefore, there is a need to raise farmer awareness of formal water institutions and to strengthen the informal institutions which are functional, recognised and in line with irrigation management transfer.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic drivers of mobile phone adoption for marketing among smallholder irrigation farmers in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1505415 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Sikundla ◽  
A. Mushunje ◽  
B.E. Akinyemi ◽  
Sandra Ricart Casadevall
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Socioeconomic Drivers ◽  
Smallholder Irrigation

The removal of litter from stormwater conduits in the developing world

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 277-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. P. Armitage ◽  
A. Rooseboom
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Exponential Growth ◽  
Drainage System ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Less Developed Countries ◽  
Substantial Agreement ◽  
Water Research ◽  
Independent Investigation ◽  
Water Courses ◽  
Laboratory Investigations

As the less developed countries (LDC's) become more developed, they have experienced an exponential growth in the production of urban litter. Unfortunately few of these countries have the infrastructure to cope with the removal of this litter, and as a result it tends to end up in the water courses. Grids cannot be placed over stormwater inlets for fear of blockage and consequential flooding. Once the litter has entered the drainage system it is difficult to remove. This paper summarises the results of three years of laboratory investigations sponsored by the Water Research Commission of South Africa into the movement of urban litter through potential trapping structures. The results show substantial agreement with those of an independent investigation carried out in Australia. It concludes that declined self-cleaning screens show the greatest promise for the removal of urban litter from most stormwater conduits and streams in the LDC's.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document