List of Titles

Quick View

Analysis of decision making in smallholder irrigation practice: a case study of Shiloh and Zanyokwe irrigation schemes in Central Eastern Cape, South Africa

- Isaac, Agholor Azikiwe

Authors: Isaac, Agholor Azikiwe
Subjects: Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Agricultural Economics)
Identifier: vital:11215 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019766 , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Description: The study was conducted in Zanyokwe and Shiloh smallholder irrigation schemes located in Eastern Cape Province at Amathole and Chris Hani districts respectively. The choice of Zanyokwe and Shiloh smallholder irrigation scheme for this study is mainly supported by the fact that it had a substantial level of crop farming activity taking place especially at Zanyokwe while the Shiloh smallholder irrigation specialises dairy farming. The study examined decision making in smallholder irrigation practice with particular reference to Shiloh and Zanyokwe irrigation schemes. The general objective of the thesis was to analyse and model the determinants of SIS farmer‟s decision making. The specific objectives of the study are as follows: to investigate the determinants of decision making among smallholder irrigation farmers; to examine the relationship between household and farm characteristics and institutional factors that explain decision making in smallholder irrigation scheme; assess the contribution of smallholder irrigation farming to household food security; and determine the production and marketing constraints of smallholder farmers‟ in both schemes. The theoretical and conceptual framework of the study gave a detailed discussion on the determinants of decision making of households. The theories used to understand household behaviour under different assumptions were variously discussed. Comprehensive illustrations of analytical framework of the study were also conceptualised. This study used a survey design, quantitative and qualitative research methodologies involving the use of questionnaires and focus group discussions. The data was coded and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). However, frequencies, percentages, bar and pie chart was also computed to describe the data. In consideration of the conceptual framework of the study, the agricultural household model was adopted to analyse smallholder farmer‟s household decision making. Twenty one explanatory variables identified in the conceptual framework of the study were discussed and some of these identified variables were incorporated into the model. The logistic regression model was used as a method of analysis because it can estimate the probability of a certain event occurring and it accommodates a lot of variables which can be ranked in order to illustrate which variables are significant. In the binary logistic model used, seven variables (farm experience, size of farmland, land rights/PTO, water sufficiency, farm asset, market information and production variation) out of the twelve predictor variables were found to have significant effect on influencing household decision making in Shiloh smallholder irrigation scheme, while five variables (gender, age, education, road distance and extension access) were not significant. Of the seven significant variables, four had positive signs (land rights/PTO, water sufficiency and market information); which means that an increase in either of these variables may be associated with an increase in household decision making in Shiloh. The other three predictor variables (farm experience, farm asset and product variation) had negative signs; this means an increase in either of these variables may be associated with a decrease in decision making. In Zanyokwe, six variables (farm experience, land rights/PTO, water sufficiency, farm asset, market information and production variation) out of the twelve predictor variables were found to have significant impact on influencing household decision making, while six variables (gender, age, education, size of farm land, road distance and extension access) were not significant. Of the six significant variables, two had positive signs (water sufficiency and farm asset); which means that an increase in either of these variables may be associated with an increase in household decision making in Zanyokwe. The other four predictor variables (farm experience, land rights/PTO, market information and product variation) had negative signs; this means an increase in either of these variables may be associated with a decrease in decision making. The study concludes that smallholder agriculture is essential for employment generation and food security of households. It is apparent that household food security will not be achieved without giving attention to the role played by smallholders‟ farmers in South Africa. It is pertinent to promulgate an efficient policy programme to address the diversity of smallholders‟ situations and identify the main constraints on investment. Therefore, all spheres of government, the private sector and NGOs should consider investment in smallholder agriculture through coordinated strategies and political support. This study also recommends that government should develop a strategic Smallholder Investment Plan which would improve investments in smallholder agriculture.
Full Text:

Quick View

Climate smart soil management: a win-win response to climate change and food security challenges

- Mnkeni, Pearson

Authors: Mnkeni, Pearson
Subjects: Food security , Population growth , Soil degration , Climate change , Global warming , Conservation agriculture , Organic materials
Language: English
Type: Inaugural lecture
Identifier: vital:11980 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1011255 , Food security , Population growth , Soil degration , Climate change , Global warming , Conservation agriculture , Organic materials
Description: Sub-Saharan Africa faces a major food security challenge as a result of projected fast increases in population growth and continuing declining per capita food availability. This calls for accelerated increases in productivity to meet expected increases in food demand. However, the soils from which the extra production is to come from are highly degraded, especially in South Africa where a large proportion of the land is ranked as having high degradation potential. This is compounded by the increasing climate change challenge which will render more land unfavourable for production. The climate change is mainly caused by global warming believed to be a result of increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The link between soil carbon, food security, and climate change will be explained in this paper. It will be shown that the high degradation status of South African soils is related to their low organic carbon contents. Efforts to restore their productivity must include strategies to minimize further loss of organic matter and encouraging carbon sequestration. Some interventions investigated with the help of my students and collaborators are presented. They include use of farmer available organic materials that can be applied to soils to improve soil carbon sequestration and fertility status; use of cyanobacteria to improve soil carbon sequestration and soil biogeochemical performance; and the adoption of conservation agriculture.
Full Text:

Quick View

Showing items 4121 - 4140 of 4146