scholarly journals Smallholder farmers perceptions of maize diseases, pests, and other production constraints, their implications for maize breeding and evaluation of local maize cultivars in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (17) ◽  
pp. 1790-1798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sibiya Julia ◽  
Tongoona Pangirayi ◽  
Derera John ◽  
Mak Itai ◽  
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Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Maize Breeding ◽  
Production Constraints ◽  
Maize Cultivars ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

scholarly journals Do Smallholder Farmers Need Nutrition Education? A Case Study from KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 14-27
Author(s):  
Sarahi Moralles ◽  
Abdukladir Egal ◽  
Wilna Oldewage-Theron
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Nutritional Knowledge ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Balanced Diet ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

South Africa (SA) is considered as the second largest economies in Africa with well-developed agricultural food production system. But food security is still a challenge at household level. Currently, in Africa, smallholder agriculture is recognized to contribute food security at household level. This study investigates the prevalence of food insecurity and nutritional knowledge of 78 local smallholder farmers in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) province of South Africa. The results from this study indicated that nutrition knowledge was poor and food insecurity was prevalent at >40% at the household level. It is therefore recommended that future agricultural training should include nutrition education based on FBDG (Food Based Dietary Guidelines) in their respective programs so as to attain a balanced diet for healthy and productive smallholder farmer communities

scholarly journals Benefits of maize resistance breeding and chemical control against northern leaf blight in smallholder farms in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 116 (11/12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave K. Berger ◽  
Tumisang Mokgobu ◽  
Katrien de Ridder ◽  
Nanette Christie ◽  
Theresa A.S. Aveling
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Disease Resistance ◽  
Leaf Spot ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Resistance Breeding ◽  
Leaf Blight ◽  
Northern Leaf Blight ◽  
Maize Hybrids ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Disease Resistance Breeding

Maize underpins food security in South Africa. An annual production of more than 10 million tons is a combination of the output of large-scale commercial farms plus an estimated 250 000 ha cultivated by smallholder farmers. Maize leaves are a rich source of nutrients for fungal pathogens. Farmers must limit leaf blighting by fungi to prevent sugars captured by photosynthesis being ‘stolen’ instead of filling the grain. This study aimed to fill the knowledge gap on the prevalence and impact of fungal foliar diseases in local smallholder maize fields. A survey with 1124 plant observations from diverse maize hybrids was conducted over three seasons from 2015 to 2017 in five farming communities in KwaZulu-Natal Province (Hlanganani, Ntabamhlophe, KwaNxamalala) and Eastern Cape Province (Bizana, Tabankulu). Northern leaf blight (NLB), common rust, Phaeosphaeria leaf spot, and grey leaf spot had overall disease incidences of 75%, 77%, 68% and 56%, respectively, indicating high disease pressure in smallholder farming environments. NLB had the highest disease severity (LSD test, p<0.05). A yield trial focused on NLB in KwaZulu-Natal showed that this disease reduced yields in the three most susceptible maize hybrids by 36%, 71% and 72%, respectively. Eighteen other hybrids in this trial did not show significant yield reductions due to NLB, which illustrates the progress made by local maize breeders in disease resistance breeding. This work highlights the risk to smallholder farmers of planting disease-susceptible varieties, and makes recommendations on how to exploit the advances of hybrid maize disease resistance breeding to develop farmer-preferred varieties for smallholder production.

scholarly journals Market Awareness and Participation for Cattle Farmers in the Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) Scheme in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Agriculture ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
Ngarava ◽  
Mushunje
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Marketing Channels ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Income Source ◽  
Auction Market ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

The objective of the study was to outline the determinants of market awareness and participation in the Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) scheme in South Africa. The study utilised a cross-sectional survey of a randomly selected sample of 116 KyD farmers in KwaZulu-Natal Province. A Logit model was used to analyse the data. The results show that more farmers are aware of farmgate market channels, but however, they tended to utilise auction market channels. Furthermore, gender, marital status, educational level, employment status, farm income, source of income, herd size, labour and training were significant variables in the awareness and use of butcheries, auctions and farm gate markets. The study concludes that the scheme is particularly effective in influencing commercialisation through utilisation of more lucrative market channels such as auctions. Furthermore, socio-economic factors had a bearing on the awareness and use of marketing channels for smallholder farmers in the KyD scheme. Labour was particularly significant across butchery, auction and farm gate market channels. The study recommends that the scheme needs to improve awareness and use of market channels through utilisation of information platforms such as radio, television and direct communication though mobile phones. Furthermore, extension should assist farmers not only in awareness of markets, but also in the utilisation of those markets.

scholarly journals Smallholder farmers’ perceptions of factors that constrain the competitiveness of a formal organic crop supply chain in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 498-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAG Darroch ◽  
T Mushayanyama
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Sweet Potatoes ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
The Family ◽  
Business Contract ◽  
Perceived Constraints

The 48 organic-certified members of the Ezemvelo Farmers’ Organisation in KwaZulu-Natal were surveyed during October-November 2004 to assess what factors they perceive constrain the competitiveness of a formal supply chain that markets their amadumbe, potatoes and sweet potatoes. They identified uncertain climate, tractor not available when needed, delays in payments for crops sent to the pack-house, lack of cash and credit to finance inputs, and more work than the family can handle as the current top five constraints. Principal Component Analysis further identified three valid institutional dimensions of perceived constraints  and two valid farm-level dimensions. Potential solutions to better manage these constraints are discussed, including the need for the farmers to renegotiate the terms of their incomplete business contract with the pack-house agent.    

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