Agrotechnology

Analysis of the constraints faced by small-scale irrigation farmers

2^nd International Conference on Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Hyderabad, India February 03-05, 2014

Langelihle Ndlovu

Posters: Agrotechnol

Abstract:

The study analysed the impact of the constraints faced by small-scale irrigation farmers on household food security in drought prone agro-ecological region 5 of Gwanda district. A case study of two small-scale irrigation schemes in Zimbabwe was conducted. The study looked at the social-economic factors, production levels, role of supporting institutions and the constraints faced by farmers. Primary data was collected using interview questionnaires with open and closed ended questions. Gross margin, multiple linear and binary logistic regression models were used to analyse the data. The study established the dominance of women and the elderly and less educated farmers in the schemes. The study also revealed that farmers were not able to grow crops throughout the year and they obtained very small net farm incomes. The main supporting service that the farmers were getting was the assistance from the extension workers and their main constraints were high water costs, shortage of water lack of access to credit, lack of inputs and output markets, lack of relevant training and information and damage to irrigation infrastructure. Inferential statistical analyses detected a negative impact of household size, area cultivated, total yield, and quantity sold to household food security while total income, land tenure, access to credit and extension services had a positive impact. Amongst others the study recommended financial assistance to farmers in form of subsidies or donations, training and provision of more advanced methods of farming, planned credit strategies and more relaxed requirements for accessing loans for small-scale farmers.

Biography :

Langelihle Ndlovu has completed her Bachelor of Agribusiness at the age of 24 years from the University of Venda and is currently pursuing her Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics at the same university.