Institute for Rural Developmenthttp://hdl.handle.net/11602/19352024-03-28T15:52:31Z2024-03-28T15:52:31ZEvaluation of water governance systems for improved operation of selected small-holder irrigation schemes in Nzhelele Area, South AfricaNedombeloni, Rudzanihttp://hdl.handle.net/11602/26502024-01-15T07:16:06Z2023-10-05T00:00:00ZEvaluation of water governance systems for improved operation of selected small-holder irrigation schemes in Nzhelele Area, South Africa
Nedombeloni, Rudzani
Throughout the world, small-holder irrigation schemes are viewed as a key strategy for increasing agricultural productivity, sustaining rural livelihoods, adapting to climate variability and change, and reducing poverty in rural areas. South Africa prioritises the establishment, rehabilitation and revitalization of small-holder irrigation schemes due to their potential in poverty reduction and enhancing food and nutrition security in rural areas. However, many of these irrigation schemes have failed to achieve their intended objectives for increasing agricultural productivity due to a slew of challenges including irrigation water governance. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the existing water governance systems of selected irrigation schemes in Nzhelele area, South Africa. A survey-underpinned by sequential exploratory mixed methods research design was adopted. Twenty-four farmers were purposefully selected to participate in a qualitative study via face-to-face semi-structured interview guide. Correspondently, census sampling method was used to purposefully select 56 famers to collect quantitative data through a 5-point Likert-type scale questionnaire ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (Strongly agree). Qualitative data was analysed using ATLAS.ti version 8.0 software to perform thematic content analysis. The IBM Statistical Package for the Social Science version 26.0 software was used to analyse quantitative data. Descriptive statistics was carried out to provide the general features of the data.
The findings of the study showed there were more female farmers than males on the studied schemes. Three quarter of the respondents were married. Moreover, half of the respondents in all the three schemes had acquired secondary education. The study further revealed that there were various water governance institutions within the schemes. These included scheme committee, Water Users Association, Informal water institutions, Department of Water Affairs, Cooperatives, Government Water Schemes, Irrigation Board and the traditional leadership. The results further revealed that farmers in selected irrigation schemes were faced with water governance related challenges which included ineffective irrigation water governance institutions, vandalizing of irrigation water infrastructure, blockage of main canals to disrupt the flow of irrigation water, lack of irrigation water due to unregistered farming, poor agricultural produce and poor adherence to irrigation schedule. In line with this, the study proposed imposing heavy fines, hiring an overseer, registering unregistered farmers, and accountability by those found guilty of vandalising as some of the strategies which can be used to address irrigation water governance challenges in the schemes. In addition, government institutions need to play their roles in irrigation
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schemes. Farmers need to be made aware about rules, roles and responsibilities of government institutions. Furthermore, an understanding of the factors which determine the participation of women in farming should be explored.
MRDV; Institute for Rural Development
2023-10-05T00:00:00ZExtent of use of mobile phone applications for rural development in some rural communities of Vhembe DistrictMache, Zvikomborero Callistahttp://hdl.handle.net/11602/26232023-11-28T14:38:37Z2023-10-05T00:00:00ZExtent of use of mobile phone applications for rural development in some rural communities of Vhembe District
Mache, Zvikomborero Callista
The study was designed to determine the extent of use of mobile phone applications for
development in the villages funder the jurisdiction of the Njhakanjhaka Traditional Authority
in Limpopo Province of South Africa. Specific objectives that guided the study were to: 1)
identify the major mobile applications that youth and adults use; 2) determine what youth and
adults use mobile applications for; and 3) assess the extent to which each mobile application
is used. The Knowledge Gap and Digital Divide theories guided the study. A convergent
parallel mixed methods research design was adopted. Purposive and convenience sampling
were used to select respondents. For purposive sampling, respondents were supposed to
own at least one mobile phone. Such persons were expected to be members of any
community development initiatives implemented in the Njhakanjhaka Traditional Authority
area. Convenience sampling was used to select persons who responded to a questionnaire
requiring responses on a Likert-type scale of 1 (Strongly disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree).
There were seven (7) respondents per separate focus group, comprising youth and adults.
The total number of respondents was 30, composed of 7 youth and 23 adults. Qualitative
data was analysed using Atlas.ti ver 8.4 software. The IBM Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 software was used to analyse quantitative data. Statistical
significance was determined at the 95 % confidence level. Mann Whitney U and Kruskal
Wallis tests were conducted where appropriate to test for statistical significance of difference.
WhatsApp was the most reliable application whilst Snapchat was ranked the least. Mobile
applications regarded as key to rural development were ranked high. Youth used mobile
applications more than adults. Adults used mobile applications to obtain information on
weather, meeting invitations and job vacancies. In contrast, youth revealed that they used
the mobile applications for community news updates, jobs and socialisation. Respondents
complained that poor network service, expensive data and unreliable electricity supply limited
use of mobile phone applications. There was no significant association (P > 0.05) between
gender and all the perceptions relating to the extent of use of mobile applications. However,
statistically significant associations (P < 0.05) were observed between age of respondent
and the following perceptions: “I would recommend Instagram to other communities” and
“Mobile phones are key to rural development.” The results of this study highlight that mobile
phone applications play a pivotal role in community development in the Njhakanjhaka
Traditional Authority. This justifies the need for establishing Wi-Fi hot spots to enhance
connectivity and access to information.
MRDV; Institute for Rural Development
2023-10-05T00:00:00ZRole of indigenous knowledge systems on cattle production in water-stressed resource-limited households in Musina Municipality, Limpopo ProvinceNephawe, Ndivhoniswanihttp://hdl.handle.net/11602/25912023-11-28T14:31:36Z2023-10-05T00:00:00ZRole of indigenous knowledge systems on cattle production in water-stressed resource-limited households in Musina Municipality, Limpopo Province
Nephawe, Ndivhoniswani
The world today is being challenged to consider utlising Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) for livelihoods, animal production and the environment care. The application of IKS in cattle production and water conservation thereto is of great importance in this modern time. Since even at this stage, IKS remains one most important method that cattle farmers can use because it is cheaper and easy to apply. The study was designed to determine the role of IKS on cattle production under water-scarce conditions; the importance of IKS in cattle selection and assess the importance of applying IKS on cattle production in rural development. A qualitative design was employed and the respondents were selected using purposive sampling procedure. Data were collected using open-ended type of questionnaire and face- to-face interviews. Qualitative data were analysed using the Atlas ti version 8 software. Cattle were selected using purposive sampling method. Data on IKS, cow production and water security was gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire and participant observations. Challenges to cattle production under water-scarce conditions included increased prevalence of diseases and parasites, dehydration, lack of resources to sustain cattle, unavailability of fodder, and limited access to water. Farmers use IKS to deal with gastro-intestinal parasites, treatment of wounds, maintenance of health, parasites detection, prevention of dystocia and loss of body weight. In selecting cattle, farmers preferred large-framed bulls and cows with short horns and brown coat colour. IKS remain vital in advancing cattle farming in most of the rural households. It is highly recommended that farmers should document the IKS for future reference and also to teach up and coming farmers about the IKS in order for them to continue the legacy. Also, water conservation to IKS should be promoted amongst the farmers to sustain water that cattle can use.
MARD; Institute for Rural Development
2023-10-05T00:00:00ZAnalysis of the dynamics of government-supported smallholder baby vegetable enterprises for an integrated high-value development frameworkDlamini, Del'site Daisy Masikahttp://hdl.handle.net/11602/25582023-10-28T08:54:26Z2023-10-05T00:00:00ZAnalysis of the dynamics of government-supported smallholder baby vegetable enterprises for an integrated high-value development framework
Dlamini, Del'site Daisy Masika
The government of Eswatini embraces the integration of smallholder farmers into high-value
crop production as a vehicle for inclusive green growth. However, the outcome of the sector
remains low and hampers its contribution towards this goal. The study assessed the levels of
technical, allocative and economic efficiencies within the production processes. The study
further analysed the levels of financial literacy among smallholder farmers. The challenges
encountered by farmers were also characterised and strategies towards the integration of
smallholder farmers into high-value crop production were suggested. A cross-sectional
design that employed sequential mixed-methods approach was adopted and purposive
sampling was applied to the selected a group of farmers from the Manzini and Hhohho
regions. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, key informant interviews
and focus group discussions. The data were analysed through the SFA, discriminant and
thematic analyses methods. Triangulation enabled synthesis of results for the proposed
integration framework. Farm characteristics showed that age, gender, education, and labour
cause variation in the group. Efficiency analysis showed that technical, allocative, and
economic efficiencies were 52%, 53% and 29%, respectively. There were 88% respondents
with below 50% economic efficiency, indicating low profit rates for sustainable production.
High harvesting labour costs, overuse of fertiliser with unoptimized land size were significant
sources of inefficiency among farms. The enterprises were largely affected by production
and marketing risks. Low product quality and delayed cash inflows affect liquidity of farms,
while weather variability and unavailability of labour during harvesting induced crop losses
that undermined farmers’ economic returns. Growers use non-saving financial services and
have unsatisfactory financial literacy that led to poor financial performance. The non-saving
culture encouraged the use of costly capital to finance production processes. Proposed is a
three-pillar framework for the integration of smallholder farmers into high-value vegetable
production. The pillars include building capacity for improved technical and allocative
efficiencies, strengthening sector risk management plan, and enhancing farmer financial
literacy. Skills development and creation of innovation can be ameliorated through the
promotion of youth engagement in agribusiness and improvement of extension services to
create demand for agricultural financial services. This is imperative for improved farmers’
production capacity and increased marketed share, thereby, promoting rural development
through profitable high value crop production.
PhDRDV; Institute for Rural Development
2023-10-05T00:00:00Z