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Exploring the Barriers to the Adoption of Climate-Smart Irrigation Technologies for Sustainable Crop Productivity by Smallholder Farmers: Evidence from South Africa

Author

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  • Batizi Serote

    (Agricultural Research Council, Vegetable Industrial and Medicinal Plants (VIMP), Private Bag X293, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
    Department of Crop Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

  • Salmina Mokgehle

    (School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela 1200, South Africa)

  • Grany Senyolo

    (Department of Crop Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

  • Christian du Plooy

    (Agricultural Research Council, Vegetable Industrial and Medicinal Plants (VIMP), Private Bag X293, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

  • Samkelisiwe Hlophe-Ginindza

    (Water Research Commission (WRC), Water Utilisation in Agriculture, Lynnwood Manor, Pretoria 0081, South Africa)

  • Sylvester Mpandeli

    (Water Research Commission (WRC), Water Utilisation in Agriculture, Lynnwood Manor, Pretoria 0081, South Africa)

  • Luxon Nhamo

    (Water Research Commission (WRC), Water Utilisation in Agriculture, Lynnwood Manor, Pretoria 0081, South Africa
    Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa)

  • Hintsa Araya

    (Agricultural Research Council, Vegetable Industrial and Medicinal Plants (VIMP), Private Bag X293, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

Abstract

Climate change continues to impact the livelihoods of smallholder farmers due to low adaptive capacity. In South Africa, the challenge is exacerbated by water scarcity and shortened crop-growing seasons. Climate-smart irrigation innovative technologies (CSIT) enhance smallholder farmers’ resilience to climate change. However, there is still a limited level of effective adoption and usage of these technologies in smallholder communities. This study investigated the barriers affecting the adoption of CSIT in rural areas of the Vhembe and Capricorn districts in Limpopo Province, South Africa. We explored the farmers’ socioeconomic factors extracted from farmers’ perceptions of CSIT-specific attributes. A multi-stage randomized sampling technique was used to select 100 smallholder farmers (SHF). Data analyzed by descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequency distribution are presented in graphs and tables. According to the findings, insufficient communication channels, a lack of financial availability, unstable land tenure systems, and insufficient training are the main obstacles to implementing CSIT. There is a need for policy and decision-makers to improve the communication channels for disseminating agro-meteorological information to the intended beneficiaries.

Suggested Citation

  • Batizi Serote & Salmina Mokgehle & Grany Senyolo & Christian du Plooy & Samkelisiwe Hlophe-Ginindza & Sylvester Mpandeli & Luxon Nhamo & Hintsa Araya, 2023. "Exploring the Barriers to the Adoption of Climate-Smart Irrigation Technologies for Sustainable Crop Productivity by Smallholder Farmers: Evidence from South Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-19, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:2:p:246-:d:1041755
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Mahugnon Maxime Obe & Cokou Patrice Kpadé & Alphonse Singbo, 2025. "Identifying and overcoming barriers to climate change adaptation innovations among smallholder farmers in developing countries: a literature review and meta-analysis," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 178(3), pages 1-26, March.
    3. Mhlangabezi Slayi & Leocadia Zhou & Ishmael Festus Jaja, 2023. "Constraints Inhibiting Farmers’ Adoption of Cattle Feedlots as a Climate-Smart Practice in Rural Communities of the Eastern Cape, South Africa: An In-Depth Examination," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-30, October.
    4. Mary Funke Olabanji & Munyaradzi Chitakira, 2025. "The Adoption and Scaling of Climate-Smart Agriculture Innovation by Smallholder Farmers in South Africa: A Review of Institutional Mechanisms, Policy Frameworks and Market Dynamics," World, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-31, April.
    5. Maanda Rambauli & Michael Akwasi Antwi & Phumudzo Patrick Tshikhudo & Fhatuwani Nixwell Mudau, 2023. "The Determinants of Smallholder Farmers on the Functionality of Plant Health Clinics in the Vhembe District, South Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-20, February.
    6. Oladele, Oladimeji Idowu & Nthama, Nthapeliseng, 2024. "Effects of Information Providers, Channels and Types on the Adoption of Climate – Resilient Practices in Lesotho," Problems of World Agriculture / Problemy Rolnictwa Światowego, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, vol. 24(3), September.
    7. Dhanya Jagadeesh & Mzuyanda Christian & Simon Letsoalo, 2024. "Assessing the Effectiveness of Climate-Smart Irrigation Practices in Improving Household Income Among Smallholder Maize Farmers in Botswana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-14, November.

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