South Africa and other African countries are faced with high levels of food insecurity and poverty levels as a result of slow growth of the macro economy and weak or sluggish rural development. Irrigation scheme development is seen as an important strategy to address the challenges faced by households in rural areas and restores growth and enhanced livelihoods. While the international experience shows that Irrigation schemes are potentially transformative of poor communities and have been operational for many years now, there is no marked improvement in living conditions of rural households in terms of livelihoods and income. This raises the question as to whether or not the schemes are viable from a socio-economic perspective and whether or not there are reasons for concern and revision of the policy framework for smallholder irrigation schemes. As a result of that, the broad objective of the study was to evaluate the contribution of smallholder irrigation schemes to household income and food security of rural households in Idutywa village of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Specifically, this research investigated the major factors that influence their performance, impact of irrigation farming on rural livelihood and household food security as well as identifying the possible opportunities of production that would improve their performance. The study was carried out in Idutywa villages of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa and employed survey data obtained from 107 households. The study employed a cross-sectional research design and the study employed stratified random sampling. The study made use of descriptive and inferential statistics to estimate the central tendency and dispersion as well as testing the hypothesis that there is a difference in the contribution between irrigators and non-irrigators using STATA and SPSS. Probit regression model was used to estimate factors that influenced the performance of smallholder irrigation schemes. The descriptive statistics employed included means, percentages and frequencies on the socio-economic characteristics of households in the study areas. The results show that females were dominant with a representation of 66.7 percent. The majority of households were aged and the mean age was 65 years. High level of illiteracy in the project area was revealed by the data. The average number of years, households spent in school was between 6 years to 10 years in school. Farming was found to be the major agricultural economic activity. Sixty-three (63 percent) were full time farmers. The results further show that household size ranges between 1 to 5 persons. The households were shown to be mostly dependent on social grant with household income hovering around R 1 000. The results from propensity score matching revealed that irrigation exerts a positive impact on household income. This provides sufficient evidence that irrigation schemes do make a contribution to rural livelihoods through their effect on household income and food security. This implies that government should continue investing in irrigation schemes as part of a strategy to grow the rural economy and improve rural livelihoods. This is in line with the Agricultural Policy Action Plan (APAP) and National Development Plan (NDP) of South Africa. Probit analysis suggests that age of the households, household size and market were some of the key determinants that positively influenced households’ decision to participate in smallholder irrigation schemes while access to credit had significant but negative effect on households’ decision to participate in smallholder irrigation schemes. Based on the findings highlighted above, it is recommended that addressing such barriers may create enabling conditions that would encourage households to access and participate more effectively in smallholder irrigation schemes.

The Qamata Irrigation Scheme (QIS) is one of the largest irrigation schemes in South Africa. Despite substantial state investment, community members have only derived limited benefits from the scheme, leading the government efforts to revitalize the scheme. Many studies have been conducted about QIS but none of them have analyzed the effects of the QIS on the surrounding communities. This study investigated the socio-economic benefits of QIS to surrounding communities. For the purposes of this study, the units of analysis were the surrounding household members, questionnaires were used to collect data. Probabilistic sampling of random sampling method was used to select the villages; respondents’ were availability selected with sample size of 197 households. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from the participants. To analyse data, descriptive statistics and multinomial logit regression model were used. The study found out that female-headed households constitute 63.45 percent compared to male-headed households at 36.55 percent. The average age of the households in the villages that are within the radius of 10km is 58 years, while it is 59 years in villages that are beyond the 10km radius. In villages within the radius of 10km, 86.08 percent of respondents are unemployed, 5.70 percent are employed at the scheme and 8.23 percent are self-employed. In villages beyond 10km, 84.62 percent of respondents are unemployed, 5.13 percent are employed at the scheme and 10.26 percent are self-employed. In both villages, 71 percent of respondents reported that that they do not get feed supply from the scheme while 29 percent of respondents reported that they get feed supply from the scheme. From the overall distribution of villages within and beyond the radius of 10km, 80 percent of respondents reported that they do not get job opportunities from the QIS while 20 percent of respondents reported that they get job opportunities from the QIS. The study shows that 53 percent of respondents from villages within the radius of 10km are low-benefitting, 33 percent of respondents are intermediate-benefitting and 14 percent of respondents are high-benefitting from the scheme, while in villages beyond the radius of 10km, 97 percent of respondents are low-benefitting, 3 percent of respondents are intermediate-benefitting and none of the respondents is high-benefitting from the scheme. Furthermore, the study, through the multinomial logit regression model, shows that gender for intermediate benefitting has a negative coefficient (-1.70) and shows a significance of 10 percent On the other hand, gender for high benefitting has a positive coefficient (2.57) and shows a significance of 1 percent. Distance from the scheme has a negative coefficient (-3.08) and shows a significance of 1 percent. Access to farmland has a positive coefficient (2.33) and shows a significance of 10 percent. The study recommends that surrounding communities should own home gardens so that they can grow fresh produce and create job opportunities. The surrounding communities are also encouraged to own more farmlands or produce their own crops so they can also learn from the skills of the scheme.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T18:57:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 1892.pdf: 22355304 bytes, checksum: 085115e10ed2bcac989d623a3ecd668a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-06-26 / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais / The importance of agroecologic transition for the agricultural nesting in the agrarian reform it s as an alternative front to the economic situation, in the recovery of degraded areas, the balance of agroecosystems and the viability of alimentary agricultural production to attend the needs of the families. The objective of this research was to analyze the agroecologic transition in the agricultural nesting Pirituba farm, in the cities of Itapeva and Itaberá, SP. The used methodology was the research-action and bibliographies. In the field work participative methodologies and half-structuralized interviews had been used. Five groups of agroecologic experimentation, the pointers of sustainability and the phases of each experimental agroecologic transition was identified and analyzed. It was shown that some families had interest in proceed in the agroecologic transition and that some areas demonstrated potential for agroecologic production. However, the continuity of these practices is compromised by some factors representing challenges for the families and also for the public policy of sustainable agricultural development. This work presents the perceptions, practice and perspective for the agroecologic transition in the agricultural nesting Pirituba Farm. / A importância da proposta da transição agroecológica no contexto dos assentamentos rurais se encontra na possibilidade da alternativa frente à atual situação econômica, na recuperação de áreas degradadas, na busca pelo equilíbrio dos agroecossistemas e na viabilidade de produção agrícola para atender as demandas alimentares das próprias famílias assentadas. Dessa forma, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar a questão da transição agroecológica no assentamento rural Fazenda Pirituba, nos municípios de Itapeva e Itaberá (SP). O arcabouço metodológico foi baseado na pesquisa ação e em levantamentos bibliográficos. Foram utilizadas metodologias participativas e entrevistas semi-estruturadas para coleta de dados na área do assentamento. Foram identificados e analisados cinco grupos envolvidos nos projetos de experimentação agroecológica, seus respectivos indicadores de sustentabilidade e as fases de transição agroecológica que cada área experimental representou. Foi possível constatar que determinadas famílias assentadas possuem interesse no avanço das práticas produtivas nas escalas do processo de transição agroecológica e respectivas áreas do assentamento se constituem em espaço potencial para a produção agroecológica. Entretanto, a continuidade das práticas agroecológicas já desenvolvidas por algumas famílias assentadas então sendo comprometidas por uma série de fatores identificados e que configuram-se como desafios para a comunidade local, bem como, para as políticas públicas que visam o desenvolvimento rural sustentável. Os dados apresentados neste trabalho compõem a análise acerca da transição agroecológica no assentamento rural Faz. Pirituba e apresenta as percepções, as práticas e as perspectivas dos diversos atores sociais envolvidos nesse processo.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:33:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_Antonio_Jose_Elias_Amorim_de_Menezes.pdf: 2677322 bytes, checksum: 9eb9c91f0bde70b5d3444b895c854c06 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-10-18 / Bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart.) is a medium to large size tree species, native to the Eastern Amazon, with a great potential for fruit, timber and energy production. The species is economically important in the states of Para, Maranhao and Piaui, where most dense and diverse natural populations are scattered in areas of secondary vegetation. The aim of this study was to identify and observe the practices carried out in systems (extraction, managed and planted), developed by smallholder farmers of the Northeast Region of Pará and Marajo Island, in view of its growing potential for the fruit industry and for the reclamation of degraded areas in Eastern Amazon. The sample consisted of 108 farmers from the Northeast Region of Para and Marajo Island, all of which were georeferenced, data collected consisted of the availability of bacuri trees in the establishment, the kind of management used and the kind of practices adopted. The adoption of empirical practices in the management of resprout indicates the need of increased investment in science and technology for the management of this species. Among these topics, we highlight the development of a fruit pulp extraction machine, use of the peel and seed, cultivation and fertilization, development of varieties with higher pulp content and precocity, among others. It is hoped that with the adoption of the management systems, the transformation of degraded areas into bacuri trees orchards, which could be made possible through the use of specific credit lines in these two studied Mesoregions. It follows what is happening to the reduction of farmers practicing the gathering system, and the growth of farmers are adopting the management system for regrowth and the start of the producers who are starting the system planted with bacuri trees. It is emphasized that the planted system is adopted by farmers more advanced, which has been induced by market growth of bacuri fruit and pulp in agroforestry and monoculture. Some producers who adopt the gathering system are shifting to the managed system for regrowth and new producers are taking advantage of the bacuri trees resprouts in their properties. / O bacurizeiro (Platonia insignis Mart.) é uma espécie arbórea de porte médio a grande com aproveitamento frutífero, madeireiro e energético, com centro de origem na Amazônia Oriental. Assume importância econômica nos estados do Pará, Maranhão e Piauí, onde se localizam populações naturais em áreas de vegetação secundária. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever os diferentes sistemas adotados (extrativo, manejado ou plantado) pelos agricultores familiares nas Mesorregiões do Nordeste Paraense e Ilha do Marajó e sua caracterização, procurando observar as técnicas desenvolvidas que possam ser aproveitadas para vencer as limitações da pesquisa agronômica; identificar a relação entre os diferentes sistemas adotados; identificar as práticas empíricas e identificar os principais coeficientes técnicos para implantação do sistema de manejo por rebrotamento, tendo em vista o seu potencial de crescimento como produto para agroindústria e para a recuperação de áreas degradadas na Amazônia Oriental. Foi realizado um levantamento de campo com 108 agricultores que possuíam área superior a 10 hectares, que participam da coleta de frutos e possuem bacurizeiros (extrativo, manejado ou plantado) no seu estabelecimento agrícola. A adoção de práticas empíricas no manejo por rebrotamento comprova a necessidade da realização de maior investimento em ciência e tecnologia sobre o bacurizeiro. Entre estes tópicos de pesquisa destaca-se o desenvolvimento de uma máquina despolpadeira, aproveitamento da casca e semente, tratos culturais como adubação, desenvolvimento de variedades com maior rendimento de polpa e precocidade, entre outras. Com a adoção das técnicas de manejo de bacurizeiro seria possível transformar capoeiras improdutivas em pomares de bacurizeiros contribuindo na recuperação das áreas degradas nas duas Mesorregiões de estudo. Conclui-se que está ocorrendo a redução dos agricultores que praticam o sistema extrativo, o crescimento dos agricultores que estão adotando o sistema de manejo por rebrotamento e o início dos produtores que estão iniciando o sistema plantado de bacurizeiro. Ressalta-se que o sistema plantado é adotado por produtores mais avançados, que vem sendo induzido pelo crescimento de mercado de frutos e polpa de bacuri em sistemas agroflorestais e em monocultivo. Alguns produtores que adotam o sistema extrativo vêm passando para o sistema manejado por rebrotamento, bem como novos produtores que estão aproveitando os rebrotamentos de bacurizeiro em suas propriedades.

M.Sc. (Geography) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (PhD (Rural Development Planning))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

The broad objective of the study was poverty alleviation through the development of subsistence harvesters at Ngqushwa Municipality. The research objectives were to explore - ways of advancing from being subsistence level producers, opportunities available to these harvesters, if they, (subsistence harvesters), want to be commercialized and what actions do they need to take to become successful businesses. The study was conducted in the the coastal area of Ngqushwa Municipality. The researcher conducted face-to-face interviews with 2 key informants. The respondents provided information on the marine species harvested by the subsistence harvesters of the Ngqushwa Municipality and the type of tools they use for harvesting. They mentioned how subsistence harvesters could advance from subsistence level to producers, about opportunities available to these harvesters, and what actions they need to take if they want to become successful businesses. The key informants also informed the researcher that subsistence harvesters are now classified as Small Scale Fisheries and informed about villages that engage in subsistence harvesting within the Ngqushwa Municipality area. 15 subsistence harvesters were randomly sampled in Polar Park, Qolweni, Gcinisa and Wesley villages which fall under the Ngqushwa Municipality. These harvesters shared their willingness to move from subsistence to commercial fisheries. The use of storytelling interviews (4 subsistence), was also used by the researcher to get more information about their experiences and challenges. The survey was conducted over 7 days. One day in June, 2016 and 6 days in September, 2016. The total number of people interviewed was 21, made up of 2 key informants, 15 subsistence and 4 story telling interviews. The results showed that the community of subsistence harvesters is very discontented because they do not benefit from the sea and the marine resources although they live near the ocean. They also believe that in 22 years of democracy there is no way forward from the government. They are irate as they have witnessed the top down management style from the government. The current subsistence harvesters have little or no formal school education, (23% with no formal schooling at all, 23% with high school education between grades 8 - 12). Without the educational and skills programs from the government the subsistence harvesters will not be able to grow and create further employment opportunities for the rest of the community of Ngqushwa Municipality. The following recommendations have suggested that co-management must come from the community. It must not be people from parliament who do not feel the pain the communities are suffering. The top down approach should stop and a bottom up approach should be implemented, which will allow decisions to be made by the communities involved in harvesting. The government only needs to monitor. They (Government), have good policies, but are they are not monitored. The harvesters need training from the government. There is a need for the formulation of a development forum with learned people, churches, community leaders, young people, women, disabled, and the fishing community all represented. There is also need of support in terms of equipment, boats and education. The government needs to conduct training on fisheries and business management and provide financial support and assistance with business plans.

An income generating project signifies an unemployment strategy and an attempt at upliftment of living standards This study tries to explore the impact of agricultural and income generating projects on poverty alleviation in the Uitenhage area .The research topic tries to establish whether these poverty alleviation projectshave impacted sufficiently and contributed to socio-economic development and eradication of poverty . A sample of 15 respondents involved in an income generating project funded by the Department of Social Development was drawn from 1 Tinarha Agricultural Tourism Initiative. A purposive samplingmethod was used for thisstudy. Data was gathered through semi-structured questionnaires. Related literature that focuses on income generating projects for poverty alleviation has been reviewed. Various recommendations based on the findings of the study have also been made. The findings of the study indicate that the income generation project, has not impacted and contributed significantly to the process of eradicating poverty for the project members. It also indicates that project members were not empowered sufficiently with financial management skills needed to equip them to make substantial profits from their small business enterprises. It also emerged that the members were not able to secure markets for their products. This remains a key challenge for attainingsustainability. The research findings indicated clearly that the strategies that were used by the Departments were not effective enough to achieve the desired goals of poverty alleviation.

The problem that is researched relates to the tendency of rural people to abandon agriculture in favour of wage employment and non-agricultural informal activities, and the existence of large areas of underutilized arable land in rural communities. This study explored the specific role of agriculture in the rural communities. The need to improve the quality of life of rural households through the promotion of agriculture and industry gave rise to the implementation of the Siyazondla Homestead Food Production Programme. In this strategy it is envisaged that vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities and food security for all will be achieved. The main research question underpinning this study relates to the role of rural agriculture in Nkwalini-Bafazi in meeting the set objectives of the project; such as improving household food security; equipping farmers with necessary skills in order to promote agricultural productivity. The research question can further be captured in these two queries: i) other than the reasons already known for the decline of agriculture in rural areas of South Africa (e.g poor extension services, poor soils, lack of market and so forth); what other fundamental reasons may be there for the poor performance of agricultural production in the communal areas? ii) What role, positive or negative has the government and its agencies played in respect to agricultural development in communal areas. The study, through qualitative methodology, sampled households in Nkwalini-Bafazi who are part of the Siyazondla Food Production Programme. The study investigated the role of agriculture in improving the livelihoods of rural people; and what strategies are required to promote agriculture so as to make contributions for future policy directions. Although this programme has been successfully initiated, from the findings of the study it is evident that beneficiaries are facing many challenges. It is crucial for the South African government to implement mechanisms to ensure that farmers will obtain incentives for farming activities, promotion of food security and rural local economic development, in order to redress the imbalances of the former apartheid regime.

This research study examines the food security strategies adopted in the face of environmental degradation in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), South Africa. The NMBM is the only metropolitan municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. Over time, this area has experienced significant environmental degradation that has greatly affected food security. The municipality has responded by launching livelihood activities to promote food security and protect the environment. These include local food production projects and urban agricultural projects. This research study investigates whether or not the food security strategies adopted by the NMBM are sustainable and whether more needs to be done to enable the municipality to achieve its objectives. The study employed a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, using interviews and questionnaires as the main tools for data collection. A sample of 20 participants was selected from the NMBM. The participants included municipal workers, private consultants, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and an engineering firm working in the field of environmental sustainability. Their inputs are analyzed and discussed in order to arrive at the findings. Critical amongst the findings is that the NMBM should improve education on environmental issues. This should be geared towards building resilience to climate change which is the greatest environmental threat to food security.