Impact of water research commission cowpea project on the improvement of cropping systems and nutrition of farmers in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Two pilot surveys were conducted to assess the status of cultural practices, the diversity of crops grown and diet, training and skill development, as well as the daily diet eaten among the farmers in the study areas (Ga-Thaba and Bela-Bela). The purpose of the pre-project commencement survey (Survey 1) was to enable the project team to ascertain whether there was any gap or felt needs that the project could execute. In light of this, Survey 1 was conducted to determine the status of the cropping systems, crops grown, constraints to production, and dietary intakes in the communities at the initiation of the project. This ascertained the potential gaps or needs that the project could accomplish in the communities. The other survey, the post-project execution survey (Survey 2) was to assess whether there were positive changes or impacts at the end of the project stemming from the activities of the project in the areas of cultural practices, crop diversity, dietary intake and nutrition of farmers, training of farmers, constraints to production, utilisation and uptake of the benefits. During surveys 1 and 2, a total of 42 and 50 farmers were sampled from Ga-Thaba and Bela-Bela communities, respectively in 2015 at the initiation of the project and in 2019 at the completion of the project. Results arising from the sampled farmers indicate that from the variables measured during Survey 1, significant information or gaps as the dire needs of the farmers were identified which showed that the project was relevant for the study areas. In addition, the results from Survey 2 indicate that the project was appropriate to meet the needs of the farmers, filling the gaps identified during Survey 1. This implied that the project was successfully able to attain the stated objectives and added value to the livelihoods of the farmers in terms of crop diversification, the dietary intakes and diversity, training and skill development to empower and improve the communities on rural livelihoods, food security and nutrition.