The efficiency of small-scale agriculture in Limpopo province of South Africa

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Majory O. Meliko
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Small Scale

scholarly journals Spatio-temporal patterns and movement analysis of pigs from smallholder farms and implications for African swine fever spread, Limpopo province, South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Folorunso O. Fasina ◽  
Japhta M. Mokoele ◽  
B. Tom Spencer ◽  
Leo A.M.L. Van Leengoed ◽  
Yvette Bevis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
African Swine Fever ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
Critical Control Points ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Disease Dispersal

Infectious and zoonotic disease outbreaks have been linked to increasing volumes of legal and illegal trade. Spatio-temporal and trade network analyses have been used to evaluate the risks associated with these challenges elsewhere, but few details are available for the pig sector in South Africa. Regarding pig diseases, Limpopo province is important as the greater part of the province falls within the African swine fever control area. Emerging small-scale pig farmers in Limpopo perceived pig production as an important means of improving their livelihood and an alternative investment. They engage in trading and marketing their products with a potential risk to animal health, because the preferred markets often facilitate potential longdistance spread and disease dispersal over broad geographic areas. In this study, we explored the interconnectedness of smallholder pig farmers in Limpopo, determined the weaknesses and critical control points, and projected interventions that policy makers can implement to reduce the risks to pig health. The geo-coordinates of surveyed farms were used to draw maps, links and networks. Predictive risks to pigs were determined through the analyses of trade networks, and the relationship to previous outbreaks of African swine fever was postulated. Auction points were identified as high-risk areas for the spread of animal diseases. Veterinary authorities should prioritise focused surveillance and diagnostic efforts in Limpopo. Early disease detection and prompt eradication should be targeted and messages promoting enhanced biosecurity to smallholder farmers are advocated. The system may also benefit from the restructuring of marketing and auction networks. Since geographic factors and networks can rapidly facilitate pig disease dispersal over large areas, a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding the complexities that exist around the animal disease epidemiology becomes mandatory.

scholarly journals Requirements for sustainable operation and maintenance of rural small-scale water infrastructure in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Water SA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (2 April) ◽  
Author(s):  
MS Selala ◽  
A Senzanje ◽  
K Dhavu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Water Infrastructure ◽  
Operation And Maintenance ◽  
Sustainable Operation

This study assessed the presence of key requirements for sustainable O&M and rehabilitation of rural small-scale water infrastructure in Makhudutamaga Municipality in South Africa. The study found a significant correlation between the requirements for sustainable O&M and rehabilitation of rural small-scale water infrastructure and continuity of service provision (p < 0.001) by the small-scale water infrastructure as well as functionality (p < 0.001) of the small-scale water infrastructure hardware. The study concludes that the presence of the key requirements varies as a function of social dynamics of communities and the presence of these requirements has an impact on the functionality and continuity of the small-scale water infrastructure hardware.

Investigation Of The Impact Of Networking Among Tenants In The Seda Limpopo Jewellery Incubator In South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-26
Author(s):  
Forbes Chiromo ◽  
Goodwell Muyengwa ◽  
Joseph Makuvaza
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Metal Fabrication ◽  
The Government ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

AbstractThis study investigates the extent to which tenants in a jewellery incubator in the Limpopo Province of South Africa network. Since 1994 SEDA has set up more than 31 incubation centres in furniture making, construction, chemicals, jewellery, ICT, metal fabrication, agriculture and small scale mining. This study was done through a survey conducted on tenants in the SEDA Limpopo Jewellery Incubator (SLJI). Information was obtained through a structured questionnaire. The study revealed how tenants benefit from networking around exhibitions and collective purchasing of raw material. Through the Incubator institutional mechanisms, the study explains how tenants share expertise, experiences, technology and resources. Unfortunately the tenants do not initiate the own networking programmes. They lose out on benefits associated with collective effort in other areas such as advertisements, lobbying the government for industrial stands, organising an newsletter, hiring of consultants, and organising joint training programmes. Lastly the study identified opportunities that the tenants could collectively exploit in order strengthen and sustain their businesses.

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.

The Use of Rainfall Forecasts as a Decision Guide for Small-scale Farming in Limpopo Province, South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.E. Moeletsi ◽  
E.A.R. Mellaart ◽  
N.S. Mpandeli ◽  
H. Hamandawana
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Small Scale

scholarly journals Efficiency indices and indicators of poor performance among emerging small-scale pig farmers in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Japhta M. Mokoele ◽  
B. Tom Spencer ◽  
Leo A.M.G. Van Leengoed ◽  
Folorunso O. Fasina
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Market Access ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Efficient Production ◽  
Animal Agriculture ◽  
Animal Populations

Limpopo is a very important area for pig production in terms of animal populations and contributions to transboundary animal disease spread. Emerging small-scale pig farmers (ESSPF) are being encouraged to establish operations and spread in South Africa; however, for these farmers to perform optimally, they need to understand the basics of animal agriculture and contribute to enhancing biosecurity and efficient production systems. In the present study, the limitations to efficient production amongst ESSPF were evaluated and some improvements were suggested. It was found that the ESSPF are dominated by males and include a large percentage of older persons. A total of 26.54% of these farmers have post-matriculation qualifications. Undefined and indigenous breeds still dominate their animal genetics. The animal health technicians are the preferred channels by which farmers report diseases to the authorities (52.47%) and only one out of five (20.37%) will preferably report a disease situation direct to a veterinarian. These farmers do not vaccinate their stock, and knowledge of biosecurity is poor. Antimicrobials, especially tetracyclines, are abused. Animals that are slaughtered within the community or sold at local sale points, pension pay stations and auction markets are likely candidates for disease spread. It is recommended that the younger generations are retained and incentivised in animal agriculture. Improved training on management, health, biosecurity and better market access must be provided for the ESSPF, whilst efforts should made to consolidate these farmers into small cooperatives. The current government agricultural support system will need to be reworked to benefit the resource-poor farmers. Collaborative efforts in disease reporting and management among veterinarians, animal health technicians and extension officers will become necessary. Finally, the creation of a progressive quality grading system for ESSPF should be planned by the industry and this should be attached to a reward system that will encourage these farmers to target good farming practice.

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