Your search found 7 records
1 Muchara, B.; Ortmann, G.; Mudhara, M.; Wale, E. 2016. Irrigation water value for potato farmers in the Mooi River Irrigation Scheme of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a residual value approach. Agricultural Water Management, 164(Part 2):243-252. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2015.10.022]
Irrigation water ; Economic value ; Water management ; Water availability ; Agricultural production ; Potatoes ; Water requirements ; Water distribution ; Irrigation schemes ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Labor ; Marketing ; Models / South Africa / KwaZulu-Natal / Mooi River Irrigation Scheme
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047739)
(0.36 MB)
Explaining variation of smallholder irrigation water values is a critical element in water allocation and management. However, it has been hampered by data deficiencies at smallholder level. Both primary and secondary data were used to estimate the value of irrigation water for smallholder farmers in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. The paper applied the residual value method to estimate water values among smallholder farmers, focusing on the potato crop. The results indicated that, on average, farmers in the Mooi River Irrigation Scheme applied less water (61.4%) to their potato crop when compared to the irrigation crop water requirements, ranging between 14% and 174%. Crops with relatively low gross margins like maize and dry beans yielded lower water values of US$0.12/m3 and US $0.10/m3 respectively, while tomatoes yielded US $1.07/m3. The average water value for potatoes was US$0.01/m3, ranging from -US$1.67/m3 to US$1.13/m3. Location of the irrigated plot along the main canal significantly influenced variability in water value, which accounted for 12.5% of variation. The number of irrigation cycles and education level of the farmer explained 5.8% and 5.9% of variation in water values, respectively. The paper illustrates that where water is provided free of charge to a large group of users, unequal distribution, poor management and inefficient use of water are common. Negative water values also revealed under-performance of smallholder farmers. A paradigm shift toward cost recovery mechanisms to encourage effective irrigation water management and water-use efficiency might need to be considered for smallholder farmers. This can also be coupled by strengthening policies and approaches that encourage user participation in water management.
2 Dirwai, T. L.; Senzanje, A.; Mudhara, M.. 2019. Water governance impacts on water adequacy in smallholder irrigation schemes in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Water Policy, 21(1):127-146. [doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2018.149]
Water governance ; Irrigation schemes ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Irrigation management ; Water management ; Water user associations ; Regression analysis ; Models / South Africa / KwaZulu-Natal / Mooi-River Irrigation Scheme / Tugela Ferry Irrigation Scheme
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049137)
(0.65 MB)
Water adequacy is central to maximised agricultural production in irrigation schemes. Smallholder Irrigation Schemes (SISs) are designed to distribute water efficiently, adequately and equitably. Water governance, defined as the institutions, processes, procedures, rules and regulations involved in water management, plays an important role in water allocation and subsequently water adequacy. The intersectoral institutions involved in water governance in SISs, i.e., government, Water User Associations (WUAs), Irrigation Management Committees (IMCs) and traditional authorities, interact to formulate and design policies for running SISs. However, multilevel interaction amongst the active stakeholders at multiple levels shapes policy and underlies SIS performance. This research aimed to investigate the impacts water governance had on adequacy of water in irrigation schemes and was premised on the hypothesis that governance had no effect on water adequacy. Water adequacy describes water supply relative to demand. Adequacy indicates whether the water delivery system supplies the required amount to a section in the irrigation scheme over a period of time (daily, monthly or seasonally). Two irrigation schemes, the Mooi-River Irrigation Scheme (MRIS) and Tugela Ferry Irrigation Scheme (TFIS) were used as case studies. A descriptive analysis showed that 86% of the farmers in the TFIS had adequate water, whereas 24% had water adequacy in the MRIS. A Binary Logit model was employed to investigate the factors that influence water adequacy among irrigators. The regression model identified eight statistically significant factors that influenced water adequacy: the irrigation scheme, location of plot within the scheme, training in water management, training in irrigation, SIS irrigators’ knowledge about the government’s aims, availability of water licences, payment of water fees and satisfaction with the irrigation schedule. The study concluded that governance factors had influence on water adequacy in the selected SISs. The implication is that stakeholders should make irrigators aware of government Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) policy and strategies. The study recommends that the SISs introduce rules, procedures and protocols to support irrigators to enhance scheme governance and lead to the realisation of government policies.
3 Dlangalala, S. F.; Mudhara, M.. 2020. Determinants of farmer awareness of water governance across gender dimensions in smallholder irrigation schemes in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Water SA, 46(2):234-241. [doi: https://doi.org/10.17159/wsa/2020.v46.i2.8238]
Water governance ; Farmers participation ; Awareness ; Smallholders ; Irrigation schemes ; Water management ; Gender ; Water institutions ; Water user associations ; Decision making ; Stakeholders ; Policies ; Households ; Socioeconomic environment / South Africa / KwaZulu-Natal / Mooi River Irrigation Scheme / Tugela Ferry Irrigation Scheme / Ndumo Irrigation Scheme
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049791)
(0.23 MB) (236 KB)
Water is a vital resource for irrigated agricultural production. Its availability and accessibility are critical for alleviating poverty and achieving food security in rural households. However, smallholder irrigated agriculture in South Africa faces limited water supply emanating from scheme governance problems, with weak institutional arrangements that fail to equitably and effectively govern water resources. South African water policy has been transforming over the years. However, statutory laws remain unknown in smallholder irrigation schemes. This study sought to assess farmer awareness of water governance and identify the determinants of farmer awareness of water governance dimensions across gender dimensions in Mooi River, Tugela Ferry, and Ndumo irrigation schemes. The study employed principal component analysis to generate water governance indices, that is, formal institutions, the existence and effectiveness of scheme constitutions, scheme committees and enforcement of informal rules in the scheme. The ordinary least square regression technique was then used to identify factors determining farmer awareness of formal and informal water institutions in the three irrigation schemes. The findings suggest that formal water institutions are unknown and factors such as household characteristics, scheme location, stakeholder participation and involvement in scheme decision-making processes significantly influence awareness of governance. Therefore, there is a need to raise farmer awareness of formal water institutions and to strengthen the informal institutions which are functional, recognised and in line with irrigation management transfer.
4 Phali, L.; Mudhara, M.; Ferrer, S.; Makombe, G. 2021. Household-level perceptions of governance in smallholder irrigation schemes in KwaZulu-Natal Province. Irrigation and Drainage, 12p. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.2659]
Water governance ; Irrigation schemes ; Households ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Small scale systems ; Stakeholders ; Institutions ; Land tenure ; Irrigation water ; Principal component analysis / South Africa / KwaZulu-Natal
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050765)
(0.78 MB)
Good governance is a prerequisite for better management of common-use resources. Awareness of institutions, inclusion of members in decision-making processes, stakeholder engagement and transparency are needed for good governance, which enhances the sustainable use of communal water resources. This paper therefore considers perceptions of farmers on irrigation scheme governance in its various dimensions. The study uses household data of 341 farmers drawn from four irrigation schemes in KwaZulu-Natal. The results show that farmers who are satisfied with the informal institutions, being the rules and norms set locally to govern the scheme farmers, value the involvement of the tribal authorities in scheme management, including their contribution to rule enforcement. Age, agricultural training, water adequacy, participation in scheme activities, psychological capital and land tenure have a positive effect on perceptions of governance constructs. Farmers are satisfied with the informal institutions governing the schemes and therefore the study recommends the inclusion of informal institutions in policy formulation. Farmers should be empowered through training and be made aware of formal institutions applicable to their irrigation scheme, and stakeholder engagement in the schemes should be strengthened.
5 Tsvuura, S.; Senzanje, A.; Mudhara, M.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022. Report on integrating WEF Nexus into teaching and learning and on the outcome of the short training programme. Pretoria, South Africa: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on NEXUS Gains. 33p.
Water resources ; Energy ; Food security ; Nexus approaches ; Educational institutions ; Curriculum ; Teaching ; Learning ; Training ; Sustainable Development Goals / South Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051651)
(3.86 MB)
This is a report on the survey of WEF Nexus teaching in selected higher education and tertiary institutions in South Africa, outcomes of the WEF Nexus short training programmes, and the development of WEF Nexus teaching material.
The report presents the survey results on WEF Nexus teaching in South African higher and tertiary education institutions. The main findings of the survey are that; there is general knowledge of the WEF Nexus in the country, some of the institutions have been involved in WEF Nexus 'training' for a while now, WEF Nexus activities are found mainly in water-related departments at most institutions, WEF Nexus related work is mainly embedded in MSc and PhD research programmes, the WEF Nexus covered are wide but focused mainly on concepts, frameworks and application of models and tools. Most believed WEF Nexus should be focused on postgraduate students, and their institutions would welcome WEF Nexus-related teaching and learning.
The deliverable also reports two WEF Nexus short course training undertaken in 2021 and 2022, initially virtually (due to Covid-19 restrictions) and then in person in 2022. The short courses were very well received, attracting more than 80 participants worldwide for the virtual versions and some 50 students for the in-person training. Details of the course contents of the training are presented in the report.
The report presents the survey results on WEF Nexus teaching in South African higher and tertiary education institutions. The main findings of the survey are that; there is general knowledge of the WEF Nexus in the country, some of the institutions have been involved in WEF Nexus 'training' for a while now, WEF Nexus activities are found mainly in water-related departments at most institutions, WEF Nexus related work is mainly embedded in MSc and PhD research programmes, the WEF Nexus covered are wide but focused mainly on concepts, frameworks and application of models and tools. Most believed WEF Nexus should be focused on postgraduate students, and their institutions would welcome WEF Nexus-related teaching and learning.
The deliverable also reports two WEF Nexus short course training undertaken in 2021 and 2022, initially virtually (due to Covid-19 restrictions) and then in person in 2022. The short courses were very well received, attracting more than 80 participants worldwide for the virtual versions and some 50 students for the in-person training. Details of the course contents of the training are presented in the report.
6 Tsvuura, S.; Mudhara, M.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2023. An analysis of the perceived societal benefits of and threats from trees for the delivery of livelihoods and community development. Plants, People, Planet, 5(3):424-436. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10364]
Trees ; Restoration ; Community development ; Livelihoods ; Socioeconomic aspects ; Gender ; Women ; Natural resources ; Nature conservation ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Climate change ; Land tenure ; Landfills ; Poverty / South Africa / KwaZulu-Natal / Buffelsdraai / Osindisweni
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051759)
https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ppp3.10364
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051759.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051759.pdf
(0.27 MB) (277 KB)
Societal Impact Statement:
Understanding the perceptions of benefits and threats from trees is important for the livelihoods of communities. The study used focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a questionnaire survey of 226 households in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The findings showed that household socio-economic factors such as gender and land tenure influenced perceptions of tree growing, and households that were involved in a tree restoration project viewed trees as contributing toward their livelihoods by reducing hunger. Hence there is a need to design strategies that promote socio-economic inclusivity of all households and genders and promote programs that increase awareness of ecosystem services within communities.
Summary:
Understanding the socio-economic factors that shape the way households value and utilize natural resources is critical in developing nature-based solutions. The study was aimed at understanding how the socio-economic circumstances of households determined their perceptions of the role of trees in livelihood delivery.
A case study of Buffelsdraai and Osindisweni communities was used; these sites are adjacent to a municipal landfill where a tree restoration project intended to mitigate the effects of climate change is being implemented, and some of the households are involved in this project. The study used focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a questionnaire survey of 226 households. It explored gender perspectives on the perceived benefits and threats of tree restoration. It analyzed the influence of households' economic characteristics and spatial configuration (the subdivisions of the landscape) to assess the impact of land tenure.
The findings showed that gender influenced the perceptions that economic benefits can be derived from participating in the project. Households involved in the tree restoration project viewed trees as contributing to their livelihoods by reducing hunger. Households in peri-urban settlements, permanently resident in the area, showed greater reliance on natural resources than those in informal settlements and rural areas. Such differences can be attributed to differences in land tenure.
Hence, there is a need to design strategies and operations that promote socio-economic inclusivity of all households and genders and reduce inequality. These findings are important for informing scaling to yield better climate change considerations and policies.
Understanding the perceptions of benefits and threats from trees is important for the livelihoods of communities. The study used focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a questionnaire survey of 226 households in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The findings showed that household socio-economic factors such as gender and land tenure influenced perceptions of tree growing, and households that were involved in a tree restoration project viewed trees as contributing toward their livelihoods by reducing hunger. Hence there is a need to design strategies that promote socio-economic inclusivity of all households and genders and promote programs that increase awareness of ecosystem services within communities.
Summary:
Understanding the socio-economic factors that shape the way households value and utilize natural resources is critical in developing nature-based solutions. The study was aimed at understanding how the socio-economic circumstances of households determined their perceptions of the role of trees in livelihood delivery.
A case study of Buffelsdraai and Osindisweni communities was used; these sites are adjacent to a municipal landfill where a tree restoration project intended to mitigate the effects of climate change is being implemented, and some of the households are involved in this project. The study used focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a questionnaire survey of 226 households. It explored gender perspectives on the perceived benefits and threats of tree restoration. It analyzed the influence of households' economic characteristics and spatial configuration (the subdivisions of the landscape) to assess the impact of land tenure.
The findings showed that gender influenced the perceptions that economic benefits can be derived from participating in the project. Households involved in the tree restoration project viewed trees as contributing to their livelihoods by reducing hunger. Households in peri-urban settlements, permanently resident in the area, showed greater reliance on natural resources than those in informal settlements and rural areas. Such differences can be attributed to differences in land tenure.
Hence, there is a need to design strategies and operations that promote socio-economic inclusivity of all households and genders and reduce inequality. These findings are important for informing scaling to yield better climate change considerations and policies.
7 Geza, W.; Ngidi, M. S. C.; Mudhara, M.; Slotow, R.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2023. ‘Is there value for us in agriculture?’ A case study of youth participation in agricultural value chains in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Cogent Food and Agriculture, 9(2):2280365. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2023.2280365]
Youth employment ; Participation ; Agricultural value chains ; Inclusion ; Empowerment ; Awareness-raising ; Partnerships ; Food systems ; Rural development ; Socioeconomic aspects ; Stakeholders ; Case studies / South Africa / KwaZulu-Natal
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052406)
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/23311932.2023.2280365?needAccess=true
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052406.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052406.pdf
(4.91 MB) (4.91 MB)
Developing countries in Africa face an unemployment crisis, with many unemployed youth. Agriculture has been identified as a strategic sector for employment creation targeted at youth, including those who may not have agriculture-related qualifications. However, various challenges limit the effectiveness of youth participation in the agriculture value chain. The study aimed to (i) determine youth awareness of agricultural value-chain opportunities, (ii) determine their perception of their role in the value chain, (iii) determine their perception of agricultural programs targeting youth and their opinions on who is responsible for attracting youth into agriculture and, (iv) to characterise the dynamics of youth empowerment in agriculture. Data was collected using focus group discussions and an online survey and analysed using SPSS and NVivo. Poor knowledge, low levels of awareness of agricultural value-chain activities and careers, and not meeting the minimum requirements for employment in processing and retail businesses were identified as key challenges. Most youth were interested in non-primary activities such as agro-processing, which are less labour-intensive and have a quicker return on investment than agricultural production. However, support services and programs for promoting youth participation in agriculture mainly focus on primary activities, signifying a mismatch between youth aspirations and current support. Understanding youth aspirations, perceptions and dynamics underpinning youth empowerment and participation in value chains is critical for promoting participation and formulating relevant and responsive policies. Additionally, improving access to information and building awareness of agricultural value chains is crucial in reducing barriers to entry. Policymakers should integrate agriculture and food systems knowledge into the primary education curriculum to promote youth awareness and evoke interest in agri-food system careers at an early age.
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