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Smallholder irrigation schemes in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • van Koppen, Barbara
  • Nhamo, Luxon
  • Cai, Xueliang
  • Gabriel, M. J.
  • Sekgala, M.
  • Shikwambana, S.
  • Tshikolomo, K.
  • Nevhutanda, S.
  • Matlala, B.
  • Manyama, D.

Abstract

A survey of 76 public smallholder irrigation schemes in the Limpopo Province was jointly conducted by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), South Africa, and the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD), as part of the ‘Revitalization of Smallholder Irrigation in South Africa’ project. About one-third of those schemes was fully utilized; one-third partially utilized; and one-third not utilized in the winter of 2015; however, no single socioeconomic, physical, agronomic and marketing variable could explain these differences in utilization. Sale, mostly for informal markets, appeared the most important goal. Dilapidated infrastructure was the most important constraint cited by the farmers. The study recommends ways to overcome the build-neglect-rebuild syndrome, and to learn lessons from informal irrigation, which covers an area three to four times as large as public irrigation schemes in the province.

Suggested Citation

  • van Koppen, Barbara & Nhamo, Luxon & Cai, Xueliang & Gabriel, M. J. & Sekgala, M. & Shikwambana, S. & Tshikolomo, K. & Nevhutanda, S. & Matlala, B. & Manyama, D., 2017. "Smallholder irrigation schemes in the Limpopo Province, South Africa," IWMI Water Policy Briefings 257964, International Water Management Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:iwmwpb:257964
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.257964
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Luxon Nhamo & Bekithemba Ndlela & Sylvester Mpandeli & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2020. "The Water-Energy-Food Nexus as an Adaptation Strategy for Achieving Sustainable Livelihoods at a Local Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-16, October.
    2. Rudzani Vhuyelwani Angel Mudzielwana & Paramu Mafongoya & Maxwell Mudhara, 2022. "An Analysis of Livelihood-Diversification Strategies among Farmworker Households: A Case Study of the Tshiombo Irrigation Scheme, Vhembe District, South Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Dickens, Chris & Mukuyu, Patience & Ndlovu, B. & O'Brien, G. & Stassen, R. & Magombeyi, Manuel, 2020. "E-flows for the Limpopo River Basin: from vision to management. Project report prepared by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) for the United States Agency for International Developmen," IWMI Reports 337111, International Water Management Institute.
    4. Liboster Mwadzingeni & Raymond Mugandani & Paramu Mafongoya, 2020. "Localized Institutional Actors and Smallholder Irrigation Scheme Performance in Limpopo Province of South Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-17, September.
    5. Nhamo, Luxon & van Dijk, R. & Magidi, J. & Wiberg, David & Tshikolomo, K., 2018. "Improving the accuracy of remotely sensed irrigated areas using post-classification enhancement through UAV [Unmanned Aerial Vehicle] capability," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 10(5):1-12..
    6. Luxon Nhamo & Sylvester Mpandeli & Stanley Liphadzi & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2022. "Securing Land and Water for Food Production through Sustainable Land Reform: A Nexus Planning Perspective," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-15, June.
    7. Magidi, J. & van Koppen, Barbara & Nhamo, L. & Mpandeli, S. & Slotow, R. & Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe, 2021. "Informing equitable water and food policies through accurate spatial information on irrigated areas in smallholder farming systems," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-13(24):36.
    8. van Koppen, Barbara & Tapela, B. N. & Mapedza, Everisto, 2018. "Joint ventures in the Flag Boshielo Irrigation Scheme, South Africa: a history of smallholders, states and business," IWMI Research Reports H048492, International Water Management Institute.
    9. van Koppen, Barbara & Schreiner, B., . "A hybrid approach to statutory water law to support smallholder farmer-led irrigation development (FLID) in Sub-Saharan Africa," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 12(1):146-1.
    10. van Koppen, Barbara & Tapela, B. N. & Mapedza, Everisto, 2018. "Joint ventures in the Flag Boshielo Irrigation Scheme, South Africa: a history of smallholders, states and business," IWMI Reports 273353, International Water Management Institute.

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    Keywords

    Agricultural Finance; Crop Production/Industries; Farm Management; Food Security and Poverty; Land Economics/Use; Marketing;
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