Livestock extension programmes participation and impact on smallholder cattle productivity in Kwazulu-Natal: A propensity score matching approach

In rural South Africa, the sustainability of cattle-based livelihoods is threatened by the competition for natural resources such as land and water. The central and provincial governments continue to invest funds in agricultural extension in order to uplift the productivity and safeguard the multifunctionality of cattle farming. However, the design of effective and efficient livestock extension models remains a challenge. The objective of this study was to investigate the drivers and first-order impacts of participation in livestock extension programmes in the KwaZulu-Natal province. To that end, the study adopted the propensity score matching (PSM) method. Based on data from a survey of 230 smallholder farmers in 13 communities of the Okhahlamba Local Municipality, the results of the Probit model showed that the likelihood of participation in extension programmes decreases with education, and increases with group membership, distance from the extension office, adoption of mixed breed, herd size and usage of forage and feed supplements, suggesting a largely supply-driven extension approach. Based on the nearest neighbour and kernel matching algorithms, the results further showed that benefits accrued from participating in livestock extension programmes in terms of cattle production and input use were scant. The study concludes with some policy implications.Keywords: Agricultural Extension, Cattle production, Impact evaluation, Propensity Score Matching, South Africa

The impact of smallholder irrigation on household welfare: The case of Tugela Ferry irrigation scheme in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The potential of smallholder irrigated agriculture to enhance food security and alleviate rural poverty has led the South African Government to prioritise and invest significantly in irrigation establishment, rehabilitation and revitalisation. The question addressed in this study pertains to the extent to which smallholder irrigation has been able to reduce poverty in the rural communities to justify this investment. Using a sample of 251 farmers, this study found that factors such as land size, perceived soil fertility, household size, and access to support services were significant predictors of irrigation participation. The results from the treatment effect model indicated that access to irrigation plays a positive role in the welfare of rural households, with irrigators spending about ZAR2 000 per adult equivalent on consumption more than the non-irrigators. The study, therefore, concluded that government investments in smallholder irrigation for poverty reduction are justified. The other factors that influenced household consumption were off-farm income, land size, livestock size, education level, family size and access to support services and infrastructure. The study recommends that investments in smallholder irrigation continue for poverty reduction, and that priority should also be on finding other feasible rural micro-projects and development initiatives to complement smallholder irrigation and significantly reduce rural poverty.Keywords: smallholder irrigation, poverty, food security, treatment effect model, Foster Greer Thorbecke (FGT) poverty measure

The Woodcraft Industry Of The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road

A study was conducted along the Victoria Falls to Bulawayo Road to document the woodcraft industry. One of the objectives was1 to analyze the rules and regulations governing wood use in the industry and the institutional arrangements around these. Secondly, the study aimed at documenting the contributions that carving makes to the local economy. Thirdly, the study focused on the ecological impact of the industry on the local woodlands. A total of 24 markets were counted between Victoria Falls and Bulawayo with major concentrations around the tourist resorts ofHwange National Park and Victoria Falls. Monthly incomes of carvers ranged between $42 and$4000. A total of 940 beneficiariesfrom seven markets were counted. Marketing strategies are mostly dependent on the flow of tourists along the road. There was, little evidence for damaging impact on local woodlands resulting from the carving activities. The amount of wood used by the carvers is equivalent to a small proportion of the “waste” of commercial logging companies. The study calls for the support of this budding industry and establishing mechanisms to enhance the status and incomes from this activity on a sustainable basis.Forestry Commission's Research and Development Division

Farmers` satisfaction with the performance of the Mooi River Irrigation Scheme, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Farmer satisfaction with using an irrigation service can be used as a  measure of performance of an irrigation scheme. An investigation was  instituted to determine factors that significantly influence the satisfaction  status of farmers at the Mooi-River Irrigation Scheme (MRIS) in KwaZulu  Natal, South Africa. A multinomial Logit regression model was employed to  analyse the response of the farmers. It was established that about 57% of  the farmers are satisfied with using the irrigation service, 30% are not and  13% are neutral. The majority of farmers, accounting for 85%, either never went to school or had only primary level schooling and these are mostly  women, who own close to 80% of the plots in the scheme. Statistically  significant results show that 6 household-level factors affect the satisfaction of farmers with using an irrigation service, i.e., gender of head of  household, level of education attained by the household head, training  received in water management, farmers’ perception of the fairness of water distribution, the number of days in a week that plotholders receive water,  and the participation of farmers in the inspection of irrigation infrastructure on the scheme. This study recommends formulation of policies to train  farmers in water management and to support farmer participation in  scheme management.Keywords: Farmer satisfaction, technical performance, multinomial Logit regressio

Collective action and participation in irrigation water management: A case study of Mooi River Irrigation Scheme in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

In line with the current focus of most developing countries to transfer management of communal irrigation schemes from state to users, an understanding of the determinants of farmer participation in collective activities forms the basis to improve the management of previously government-funded schemes, which are characterised by poor maintenance and performance when farmers are left to manage the schemes on their own. Cross-sectional data collected from 307 respondents in the Mooi River Irrigation Scheme (MRIS) in KwaZulu-Natal were used to identify the determinants of farmer participation in collective activities. The results of the Tobit and Ordered Probit models suggest that collective activities are negatively affected by low farmer-literacy levels. Number of consecutive days that farmers spend without access to irrigation water per week was used as a proxy for water scarcity, and was confirmed to be a significant determinant of farmer participation. The existing incentives for water-users in the MRIS need to be improved to encourage farmer participation in collective water management. This calls for strengthening of local water management systems and institutional policies to ensure maximum benefits from participating in collective activities. The study noted the complexity of managing common pool resources at a localised level, and pointed to the need to further understand the institutional dynamics in which smallholder irrigation farmers operate.Keywords: Collective action, participation intensity, smallholder irrigation scheme, South Afric

The Farmer Life School: experience from an innovative approach to HIV education

The Farmer Life School (FLS) is an innovative approach to integrating HIV education into life skills and technical training for farmers. This study aims to gain insight into the strengths and weaknesses of this relatively new approach, through the implementation of an adapted version in South Africa. The results are presented of a pilot with three groups of community gardeners, predominantly women, attending weekly sessions. Impact was assessed in terms of three key elements: participation, learning, and empowerment. Data were collected through extensive session reports, follow-up interviews, and reflection exercises with facilitators and participating groups and individuals. The results suggest that a group-based discovery learning approach such as the FLS has great potential to improve food security and wellbeing, while allowing participants to explore issues around HIV/AIDS. However, the analysis also shows that HIV/AIDS-related illness and death, and the factors that drive the epidemic and its impact, undermine farmers\' ability to participate, the safety and trust required for learning, and the empowerment process. Participatory approaches such as the FLS require a thorough understanding of and adaptation to the context. Keywords: Farmer Life School, HIV/AIDS, participation, learning, empowerment.SAHARA J Vol. 5 (2) 2008: pp. 56-6

Distribution of relief seed and fertilizer in Zimbabwe: Lessons from the 2003/04 season

Drought and flood relief programs distributing free seed and fertilizer are common in southern Africa, but little is known about their efficacy. This study summarizes the impacts of input relief programs in Zimbabwe, based on data from surveys conducted in 2004, following two consecutive drought years. The analysis reveals substantial opportunities for improving these programs. First, targeting of beneficiary households must be improved. There was little difference between recipients and nonrecipients in terms of household characteristics, composition, poverty level etc. Many households received inputs from more than one NGO. Targeting can be improved through better sharing of information, and by using simpler selection criteria (eg, ownership of livestock) to identify beneficiaries. Contrary to common perceptions, farm communities tend to be reasonably successful at maintaining seed stocks even after multiple years of drought. Correspondingly, the delivery of free seed did not contribute to an increase in planted area. If seed is provided, more emphasis is needed on quality control and proper labeling. Also contrary to common perceptions, distribution of small quantities of fertilizer offered substantially higher returns than distribution of seed. The application of as little as 10 kg of nitrogen per hectare contributed substantially to food security in drought-prone regions. This study also compared three alternative input distribution methods: direct handouts of seed and fertilizer, seed fairs, and the use of vouchers redeemable at retail shops. While direct handouts are logistically the easiest method (and the most widely used), voucher-based programs linked with retail shops potentially offer the greatest development impacts

Potential for Agroforestry Adoption in Southern Africa: A Comparative Study of Improved Fallow and Green Manure Adoption in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe

This paper summarizes the findings of three ex-ante studies, from Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia, that examined the potential for adoption of agroforestry technologies should they be extended to farmers. Ethnographic linear programme modelling of households in all three locations shows that the potential adoption of these technologies depends on household composition, farm size, and availability of draft power. Results show that both male and female headed households can adopt the technology. A seed selling incentive enhanced adoption through augmenting household income and benefited farmers by increasing funds available for discretionary use. In Zimbabwe there was a greater increase in discretionary cash for draft animal owners than non-owners. It is concluded that in Southern Africa, improved fallows are a viable alternative to chemical fertilizer use for small farmers