Comparison of two Agricultural Irrigation Schemes in Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Abstract

The study compared two smallholder agricultural irrigation schemes in Eastern Cape, South Africa. Random selection was adopted and a total of 120 households were chosen from the two study sites. The descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for data interpretation and analysis. In Zanyokwe and Shiloh schemes: findings reveal that farm experience (β=-.077) and (β=-118), size of farmland (β=9.970) and (β.013), permission to occupy (β=.970) and (β-439), farm resources (β=-1.430) and (β=1.993), water for irrigation (β=1.299) and β=2.197), access to market information (β=.768) and β=-807), and production output (β=-1.390) and β=-2.330) were significant variables influencing the choice to continue farming on both schemes. The major constraints of beneficiaries were low farm income, inadequate land size, and inadequate farm assets. The study concluded that motivation and involvement of farmers in policy decision making remains critical for success. It is therefore, recommended that training to prepare farmers with multiple skills in sustainable agriculture is paramount.

Keywords: Irrigation schemes, Characteristics, Constraints, Smallholder farmers