Strategies for Coping with Water Scarcity in Smallholder Cattle Farming Systems in Makhado Local Municipality

Abstract

Water scarcity poses a significant challenge to smallholder farmers, cattle, and overall agricultural sustainability. The challenge of water scarcity in cattle farming systems underscores the critical need for adaptive practices to safeguard cattle well-being and maintain livestock productivity. The study determines the coping strategies to address water scarcity effects on smallholder cattle farming in Tshikuwi and Tshirolwe, Makhado local municipality, Limpopo, South Africa. A mixed method was adopted in this study. The body scoring condition was collected using a BSC scale, and the interviewer used a semi-structured interview guide. The population of this study included cattle and members of the community, only cattle farmers who were 18 and older participated in the study. Qualitative data was analysed thematically using Atlas-ti 8 software, version 24.1.0 and quantitative data was computed through descriptive statistics using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29. The participants expressed different perceptions of water scarcity, most respondents perceived water scarcity as a lack of water and a shortage of water to cover cattle farming. Smallholder cattle farmers employed different types of coping strategies to tackle water scarcity; the most common strategy used was natural water wells and boreholes. The study revealed a correlation between the distance to the water source and the body condition and health of the cattle (Bucks, r=0.7002, Does, r = 0.9865 and Weaners, r=0.9582). The study used a scatter plot to determine if there was a correlation between the distance (km), the body condition, and the health status of the cattle. The findings showed that bucks exhibit low correlation (r2 = 0.4903), indicating greater variability in their BCS as distance increases and a linear trend of distance and FAMACHA, which does show a sharper decline (slope = -1.0606). The findings emphasised the significance of streams/rivers and boreholes as the main resource for coping with water scarcity. According to the farmers, behavioural changes are the biggest impact they have seen in their cattle. The study recommends educational initiatives to assist smallholder farmers in enhancing their management of water resources as well as government and agricultural producers to allocate resources towards developing infrastructure and technology that guarantees cattle access to water. Keywords: Cattle, coping strategies, farming systems, rural, smallholder.