The use of sustainable agricultural methods amongst smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa

There is increasing concern over the role that modern agricultural methods play in the degradation and destruction of natural resources such as water, soil, forests, and microorganisms, and the wider environment. Modern agricultural production methods, though they are effective at catering to the present generation’s needs, have been found to pose threats to future farming activities. As a result, there have been widespread calls for farmers to use sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) as an alternative to traditional farming practices. Despite this, there seems to be limited knowledge of the extent to which smallholder farmers in South Africa have done so. This study investigates the use of SAPs by 130 smallholder farmers in a rural community in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. The findings show that the majority use SAPs such as intercropping and crop rotation and that there is a low prevalence of mineral and pesticide use, both of which are considered unsustainable to the environment and the health of people and other resources. The findings also show that manure is not widely used as an alternative to chemical fertilizers and that the use of electricity as a form of energy for cooking and lighting is prevalent. These findings are useful for policymakers keen on encouraging the successful implementation of SAPs in South Africa.