Assessment of the performance of smallholder irrigated sugarcane farming in Maphumulo municipality of KwaZulu-Natal Province
- Mdletshe, Sifiso Themba Clement
- Authors: Mdletshe, Sifiso Themba Clement
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Irrigation projects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Sugarcane industry -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11221 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019822 , Irrigation projects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Sugarcane industry -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Description: Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) is mainly composed of small-scale farmers with low production capacity and knowledge (ISRADS, 2004). The general problem is the performance of smallholder irrigation schemes, issues that cause low productivity; whereas the cost of purchasing machinery is too high. In the rural areas the majority of the people are unemployed due to different reasons such as lack of employment opportunities available to them, lack of skill, and low level of education and mostly they are inexperienced. This study identifies theperformance of irrigation projects amongst smallholder sugarcane farmers in KwaZulu Natal in order to uplift the livelihood of smallholder sugarcane production as well as its sustainability.This was done on the basis of demographics, historical background and agricultural potential. This dissertation will discusses all approaches used to conduct the study. The dissertation also describes the analytical framework used in this study, namely: The research design, sampling, sample size, data, data collection procedures, model description and the specific analyses carried out to address the study objectives. The results of net values of irrigated and non-irrigated lands, the irrigating households indicated13% of sugar cane production per hector more than non-irrigators. It is clearly indicated that water/ irrigation can contribute on maximizing sugarcane yield and promotes sustainability. Improving the technology from small scale growers’ point of view, extension officers from different areas that produce sugarcane should be scheduled to attend Refresher Courses at SASRI to train them on different aspect of irrigation management and sugarcane production. When there is newly established technology, such as invention of a new variety of sugarcane that is resistant to drought and diseases. It would be more essential for agricultural development to encourage government investment on more irrigation schemes facilities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mdletshe, Sifiso Themba Clement
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Irrigation projects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Sugarcane industry -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11221 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019822 , Irrigation projects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Sugarcane industry -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Description: Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) is mainly composed of small-scale farmers with low production capacity and knowledge (ISRADS, 2004). The general problem is the performance of smallholder irrigation schemes, issues that cause low productivity; whereas the cost of purchasing machinery is too high. In the rural areas the majority of the people are unemployed due to different reasons such as lack of employment opportunities available to them, lack of skill, and low level of education and mostly they are inexperienced. This study identifies theperformance of irrigation projects amongst smallholder sugarcane farmers in KwaZulu Natal in order to uplift the livelihood of smallholder sugarcane production as well as its sustainability.This was done on the basis of demographics, historical background and agricultural potential. This dissertation will discusses all approaches used to conduct the study. The dissertation also describes the analytical framework used in this study, namely: The research design, sampling, sample size, data, data collection procedures, model description and the specific analyses carried out to address the study objectives. The results of net values of irrigated and non-irrigated lands, the irrigating households indicated13% of sugar cane production per hector more than non-irrigators. It is clearly indicated that water/ irrigation can contribute on maximizing sugarcane yield and promotes sustainability. Improving the technology from small scale growers’ point of view, extension officers from different areas that produce sugarcane should be scheduled to attend Refresher Courses at SASRI to train them on different aspect of irrigation management and sugarcane production. When there is newly established technology, such as invention of a new variety of sugarcane that is resistant to drought and diseases. It would be more essential for agricultural development to encourage government investment on more irrigation schemes facilities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The analysis of the economic impact of climate change on maize production under different farming systems: the case of smallholder Farmers in Jozini Municipality, KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa
- Authors: Nxumalo, Bongiwe Goodness
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Climate change mitigation -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dry farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Food supply -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Corn -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11229 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021277 , Climate change mitigation -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dry farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Food supply -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Corn -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Description: Maize is the most grown crop by the farmers in Jozini. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to assess the economic impact of climate change on maize production under different farming systems in Jozini Municipality in KwaZulu Natal (KZN). The study was looking at the smallholder farmers producing maize under dryland and irrigation system. A total of 100 farmers were selected for the study (40 from dry-land and 60 from irrigating farmers). Cluster and random sampling procedures were used to select the sample. Questionnaires were used for the collection of primary data, from the respondents (maize farmers). Data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages), gross margin, regression analysis and the Ricardian model. Data for computing gross margins and net revenue was taken from the on-farm trials. Gross margin was used on regression analysis and the net revenue was used on the Ricardian modelThe results of the regression analysis indicated that land size, farmer’s experience to farming, level of education, use of fertiliser, use of irrigation and the yield obtained were significant and have a positive relationship with farmers gross margin. The results of the Ricardian model indicated that climate change affects both farming systems, but farmers that are producing under dryland are the most affected farmers because they rely more on climate variables especially rainfall for their production. So a change in climate variables affects maize farmers’ productivity and thus affecting farmers’ gross margin and net revenue. The study recommends that the farmers must use irrigation in order to support maize production even in the absence of rainfall. Farmers must also adapt to the short growing season so that they will be able to produce even in the presence of climate change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Nxumalo, Bongiwe Goodness
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Climate change mitigation -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dry farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Food supply -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Corn -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11229 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021277 , Climate change mitigation -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dry farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Food supply -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Corn -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Description: Maize is the most grown crop by the farmers in Jozini. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to assess the economic impact of climate change on maize production under different farming systems in Jozini Municipality in KwaZulu Natal (KZN). The study was looking at the smallholder farmers producing maize under dryland and irrigation system. A total of 100 farmers were selected for the study (40 from dry-land and 60 from irrigating farmers). Cluster and random sampling procedures were used to select the sample. Questionnaires were used for the collection of primary data, from the respondents (maize farmers). Data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages), gross margin, regression analysis and the Ricardian model. Data for computing gross margins and net revenue was taken from the on-farm trials. Gross margin was used on regression analysis and the net revenue was used on the Ricardian modelThe results of the regression analysis indicated that land size, farmer’s experience to farming, level of education, use of fertiliser, use of irrigation and the yield obtained were significant and have a positive relationship with farmers gross margin. The results of the Ricardian model indicated that climate change affects both farming systems, but farmers that are producing under dryland are the most affected farmers because they rely more on climate variables especially rainfall for their production. So a change in climate variables affects maize farmers’ productivity and thus affecting farmers’ gross margin and net revenue. The study recommends that the farmers must use irrigation in order to support maize production even in the absence of rainfall. Farmers must also adapt to the short growing season so that they will be able to produce even in the presence of climate change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
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