The Impact of Government Intervention on Small Scale Irrigation Schemes in Sekhukhune District: A Case Study of the Tswelopele Scheme (original) (raw)
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Asian Economic and Social Society, 2018
This study examined the benefits and challenges small-scale farmers faced in the Taung irrigation scheme. Irrigation schemes have been identified as the backbone in promoting agriculture in South Africa. Nevertheless, literature have shown that very few studies have been conducted on the benefits and challenges facing small-scale farmers in irrigation schemes, there is a need to supplement this gap. The findings contend that Taung irrigation scheme enabled small-scale framers to generate income. Income made in the scheme permitted small-scale farmers to purchase gardening tools such as watering cans, cattle ploughs and hoes to improve productivity. The scheme also provides a platform for farmers to produce more food therefore, a reduction in poverty incidence in the area. However, challenges such as lack of market, absence of institutional structure, farming capital, transport and loss of harvest through theft are affecting farmers on the scheme. Institutional structure is needed since it allows small-scale farmers to make decision regarding management of the scheme. Contribution/ Originality This study indicated that Taung irrigation scheme provide a platform for small-scale farmers to generate income which enhances productivity, human capital and physical endowment. The scheme also enable small-scale farmers to produce enough food which improve household consumption thus livelihood. Better management of the scheme would serve as an impetus to employment, income and food security in the area.
Challenges and opportunities for revitalising smallholder irrigation schemes in South Africa
Water SA
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 fi...
Review: Challenges and opportunities for revitalising smallholder irrigation schemes in South Africa
Water SA, 2018
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 fi...
Methodological framework for revitalisation of small-scale irrigation schemes in Southern Africa
2013
This paper presents a methodological framework for revitalising small-scale irrigation schemes which are no longer performing well due to a combination of infrastructural, social-economic, institutional and governance problems, among others. The framework was developed as part of a project to revitalise small-scale irrigation schemes in Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe. The framework is based on the understanding that an irrigation scheme consists of four mutually interlinked systems: the physical system, the cropping system, the economic system and the social-organisational system. The methodological framework combines both hardware and software rehabilitation processes to lead to a comprehensive revitalisation of an irrigation scheme. The framework consists of systematic steps which lead to achieving predetermined outputs, which then lead to intermediate outcomes and goal outcomes. The framework has indicative timelines for the steps. The application of the proposed framework and the...
2003
This document reports back the results of a research project that took place in the Thabina Irrigation scheme (Limpopo Province, Levuvhu-Letaba water management area) between Match and November 2003. The first objective was to describe the current situation of the scheme, in technical, economic and institutional terms, and to develop a model of such situation, making use of the Smile platform. The second objective was to develop a participatory scenario-testing approach, using the model, in order to evaluate options and alternatives towards the development of the scheme. The research team developed its approach accordingly, i.e. doing a survey through a structured questionnaire, building typologies of cropping systems and fanning systems, capturing the whole into the Smile program, reporting back the results to farmers, gathering questions and worth-testing scenarios from the farmers, and analysing the results of simulations in a participative way (workshops). The report first recap...