Thesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / This article investigates the effects of drought on small scale beef cattle farmers of Ba- Phalaborwa Municipality in Limpopo Province. Drought and its financial implications have caused critical problems to small scale farmers especially beef cattle farmers in the municipality. Most rural households depend on agriculture as their source of food and income. Agriculture thus plays a prominent role in the stability of rural communities. Drought is a factor that affects farmers not only during the drought season, but also the following season as the previous year’s reduced profits influence the next seasons spending. The changes in price of input commodities the season after drought also affect farmer’s decisions. The main objective of the study was to investigate the effects of drought on small scale beef cattle farmers in Ba-Phalaborwa municipality in Limpopo province. 25 Small scale livestock farmers from Lulekani A and B village in Ba-Phalaborwa municipality were randomly selected to participate in the study. The quantitative study applied a survey design and primary data were collected using open and close ended questionnaires. The findings of the study revealed that drought is a major concern for livestock farmers and the agricultural sector at large, resulting in high loss of livestock due to mortality and enforced sales. Furthermore, due to the devastating effects of drought farmers responses were characterized by the increased reliance on the Department of agriculture and rural development in the form of drought relief. It is therefore recommended that the country needs to prepare for this natural phenomenon and the key to drought preparedness and readiness is about knowing the what, how and when of the drought. To achieve this goal the scientific expertise to monitor and predict, the capability of the observation networks, information systems for drought early warning have to be improved. Furthermore, the provision of financial assistance to address long-term developmental needs (such as investment in water infrastructure and water-harvesting techniques) of the farming community, thereby improving their resilience, may prove more beneficial in the long run than short-term drought relief assistance in the form of fodder supply. Key words: Ba-Phalaborwa, drought, small scale livestock farmers,

Drought is a water related natural hazard. It is difficult to characterize drought because of its diffused nature and spatiotemporal variability. However, understanding the variability of drought characteristics such as severity, frequency, duration, and spatial extent is critical in drought mitigation and planning. Impact of drought on agriculture, water supply, and energy sectors has been long-recognized. The current understanding of drought and its impact is limited due to its complex characteristics and ways in which it impacts various sectors. This study focuses on two important aspects of drought: variability of drought characteristics across different spatial scales, and impact of droughts on crop yield and groundwater. Two drought indices, one integrating severity and spatial coverage, and also taking into account the type of specific crops, were investigated for county level use. The developed indices were used in studying drought at the county level, and its impact on crop yields. These indices can be used for resource allocation at the county level for drought management. Drought is reported in the United States (U.S.) for different administrative units at different spatial scales. The variation of drought characteristics across different spatial scales and scale dependence was investigated, demonstrating the importance of considering spatial scales in drought management. A methodology is proposed to quantify the uncertainty in reported values of drought indices using geostatistical tools. The uncertainty was found to increase with increasing spatial scale size. Artificial Neural Network and regression methods were used to model the impact of drought on crop yield and groundwater resources. Relationships of crop yields and groundwater levels with drought indices were obtained. Overall, this study contributes towards understanding of the spatial variation of drought characteristics across different spatial scales, and the impact of drought on crop yields and groundwater levels. / North Dakota Water Recourses Research Institute (ND WRRI) Fellowship Program / North Dakota State University Graduate School Doctoral Dissertation Award

Thesis (M.Sc. (Pasture Science)) --University of Limpopo, 2014 / Due to shortage of adequate pasture in large parts of South Africa, winter survival poses a problem to farmers. A shortage in winter grazing is the major problem on most farms in South Africa. Animals loose weight in winter which leads to low reproduction, production of milk, mutton and meat. The winter feed shortages counteract also the possible good performance of animals during summer. Winter supplementation contributes largely to high input costs in livestock production, which can make this enterprise uneconomically. This study was done at two different localities: Hygrotech’s experimental farm at Dewageningsdrift, Gauteng and Nooitgedacht Agricultural Development center, Mpumalunga. Five winter fodder crop cultivars (Witteberg oats, Overberg oats, LS 35 stooling rye, LS 62 stooling rye and Cloc 1 Triticale) were planted on six planting dates (05 April, 04 May, 06 June, 20 July, 20 August and 26 September). Five cutting treatments were applied on Dewageningsdrift:  First cut 8 weeks after planting and after that re-growth every six weeks (Ct 8),  First cut 10 weeks after planting and after that re-growth every six weeks (Ct 10),  First cut 12 weeks after planting and after that re-growth cut every six weeks (Ct 12),  First cut 14 weeks after planting and after that re-growth cut every six weeks (Ct 14),  First cut when more than 50% of plants were in the reproduction stage (RS). The same cultivars that were used at Dewageningsdrift were used on Nooitgedacht ADC. Only one planting date was applied here that was 02 February 2007. The cutting treatments differed also from that on Dewageningsdrift. Material was cut for the first time when it reached a grazing stage (± 50-60 cm high) and after that re-growth was measured four weeks. The main conclusions from the study were that, Witteberg oats has retained its nutritional value longer than other cultivars. LS 35 stooling rye was an early or short duration growing cultivar, if planted in February to April it will provide grazing early/Mid-winter. However it can also be planted in July to grow in spring. LS 62 stooling rye is a medium to long duration growing cultivar which optimum production period will be in late winter and spring. Witteberg oats is a medium/late producer and a long duration growing cultivar, thus if planted early (April) it can provide grazing until late winter. Overberg oats is an early/med long duration growing type, if planted in April it will produce mid-winter, planted in May to July it will produce late winter and planted in August it will provide spring grazing. Cloc 1 triticale is a long duration growing type. It will produce late winter when planted in April to July and in spring when planted in August/September.

Thesis (M.Sc.(Agriculture (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Understanding the factors that influence farmers' decisions to take preventive measures against natural hazards provides insight that can be used to develop user-specific interventions to support their adaptation processes. The use of Protection Motivation Theory in analysing climate risk adaptation behaviour is driven by the increase in climate change, which is projected to increase the frequency and severity of climate related risks such as heatwaves, floods, and droughts. Given the importance of livestock in rural communities, information about their adaptation must be prioritised; yet, this is not the case, as most climate change adaptation research focus on crop production. The main aim of the study was to analyse the drought risk preparedness of smallholder livestock farmers in the Limpopo Province's Blouberg Local Municipality. The study's specific objectives were to identify and describe the socioeconomic characteristics of smallholder livestock farmers in the Blouberg Local Municipality, as well as to determine the drought coping and adaptation strategies used by them and to evaluate the protection motivation theory components influencing that coping and adaptation behaviour. The study collected primary cross-sectional data from 130 smallholder livestock farmers in the Blouberg Local Municipality using a semi-structured questionnaire. The farmers' drought risk coping and adaptation strategies were described using descriptive statistics, while multiple linear regression was used to test whether protection motivation theory variables influence the adaptation and coping choices of smallholder livestock farmers in Blouberg Local Municipality. According to the findings, smallholder livestock farmers in Blouberg Local Municipality use four measures on average to protect their livestock against drought. With an R2 adjusted of 0.70, protection motivation theory variables explain 70% of the variation in farmer protection motivation. Perceived risk probability, perceived severity, perceived self-efficacy, and perceived costs were significant variables associated with farmers' protection motive. It is recommended that interventions meant to increase drought risk resilience of the farmers should prioritise early warning signals to increase perceived probability of the farmers, create platforms for information exchange to increase perceived severity, teach farmers methods practically to increase perceived self-efficacy and keep the price of utilising measures low to decrease perceived cost / Risk and Vulnerability Science Centre (RVSC)

MENVSC / Department of Geography and Geo-Information Sciences / South Africa was badly affected by the recent 2015/16 severe drought. Water levels in dams declined drastically resulting in decimation of livestock herds and widespread crop failure. Mopani District Municipality is comprised of many agricultural activities that contribute to the economy and social development of the country. The study evaluated the nature of the drought hazard - its impacts, vulnerability and adaptation strategies employed by rural communities of Mopani District. The study used a mixed method approach with both quantitative and qualitative datasets. The district was divided into two distinct climatic areas, the eastern lowveld which includes the Greater-Giyani, Ba-Phalaborwa and Maruleng Local Municipalities and the western highveld which includes Greater- Tzaneen and Greater- Letaba Local Municipalities. Questionnaires were administered among community members whilst key informant interviews were conducted among relevant government and municipal officials. Anomalies in long term climate data were analysed to determine the frequency and intensity of drought in the district. Drought characterisation was done using a Standardised Precipitation and Evapotranspiration Index whilst vegetation anomaly maps, maize yields and dam level data were used to analyse the impacts of drought across the district. Levels of vulnerability to drought were determined using the Household Vulnerability Index. Spatially distinct patterns of drought conditions across the district were remarkable with wet conditions on the western highveld along the escarpment and harsh dry conditions towards the eastern lowveld. It was found that nearly half the time there is some form of drought or another in the district which may be linked to the remote El Nino phenomenon. Community vulnerabilities have a direct impact on human welfare and different strategies are employed to adapt to drought hazards both at community and district levels. The study showed a link between drought hazard extent and vulnerability. Community members are adapting using conservation agriculture, selling fire-wood, accessing boreholes and rearing chickens, amongst other means to survive in these harsh climatic conditions. Local government intervention strategies include supply of seeds and fertilisers, selling fodder at a cheaper price and supplying water using trucks. The findings of this study contribute to disaster risk reduction efforts in Mopani District Municipality / NRF