Analysis of Level of Technical Efficiency of Water Use by Small-scale Irrigation Farmers in the Nwanedi Area of Limpopo Province: A case study of tomato farmers

Abstract

Agricultural water-management practices are being promoted as a way to adapt to climate change, as well as to combat poverty and unemployment. Low-cost and water-efficient irrigation technologies, such as, drip irrigation are believed to have the potential to save water. This it is anticipated would lead to increased productivity and subsequently improved food and nutrition security for rural livelihoods, thus, lift small-scale farmers out of poverty. Inefficient and ineffective irrigation systems contribute to excessive wastage of available water resources. The purpose of this study was to analyse the level of technical efficiency in water use by small-scale irrigation farmers in Nwanedi. Specifically, the study aimed to (a) characterise tomato production under small-scale irrigation in Nwanedi, (b) analyse use of water against the yield of tomatoes produced in Nwanedi, as well as (c) evaluate the level of technical efficiency of water-use by small-scale tomato growers in Nwanedi. Data were gathered from 144 small-scale farmers from the Nwanedi irrigation system using a questionnaire with both open and closed-ended questions. Frequency distribution tables and graphs were utilised to describe and characterise small-scale tomato farmers. The Stochastic Frontiers model’s Cobb-Douglas production function and a simple linear regression model were applied to address the second objective, which was to assess water use relative to tomato yield in Nwanedi. For the third objective, which aimed to evaluate the technical efficiency of water use by small-scale tomato growers in Nwanedi, the Cobb-Douglas production function, was employed. The findings of this study revealed that the efficiency levels of small-scale tomato farmers in Nwanedi ranged from 0.09 to 0.91, with an average of 0.59. This highlights the significant variability in tomato farming practices among Nwanedi farmers. Further, Stochastic Frontiers Analysis (SFA) results revealed that electricity as a proxy variable for water use was a significant predictor of farm income. In addition, the research findings revealed the significance of log(electricity)’s coefficient which suggests a meaningful impact on water use for tomato production’s efficiency. This study’s findings have both theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, the findings contribute to the body of knowledge on water usage by small-scale farmers in irrigation farming environments. Practically, this study provides opportunities for improved monitoring and evaluation of small-scale farmers to address the inconsistencies identified in the findings. Overall, the results of the study would inform strategies for implementing effective and efficient water management practices, aimed at conserving water and increasing productivity, therefore, the findings it is anticipated, would be are valuable to farmers, extension workers, and policymakers