An Evaluation of Smallholder Irrigation Typology Performance in Limpopo Province: South Africa

Ernest Malatsi (), Gugulethu Zuma-Netshiukhwi (), Sue Walker and Jan Willem Swanepoel
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Ernest Malatsi: Department of Agriculture, Directorate Water Use and Irrigation Development, 20 Steve Biko Street, Arcadia, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Gugulethu Zuma-Netshiukhwi: Agricultural Research Council: Natural Resources and Engineering, 600 Belvedere Street, Arcadia, Pretoria 1000, South Africa
Sue Walker: Sustainable Food Systems and Development, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa
Jan Willem Swanepoel: Sustainable Food Systems and Development, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-18

Abstract: Smallholder irrigation farmers play a vital role in sustaining rural communities in South Africa. However, the performance of smallholder irrigators, both as income generators and job creators, has come under scrutiny in recent years. In Limpopo province, a study was conducted in the Vhembe District using cross-sectional data from 95 independent and 165 public smallholder irrigators, which are privately established farmers and users of government-supported and managed irrigation systems, respectively. Qualitative data were collected through questionnaires, key informant interviews, and group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed by SPSS version 30 using themes and codes, employing inferential statistical methods such as chi-square and t -tests to assess variables related to agrifood systems, crop selection, and market access. The study found that smallholders predominantly favor the production of grains, vegetables, and horticultural crops, with a statistically significant ( p < 0.05) similarity between independent and public irrigators. Public irrigators dominate within irrigation schemes at 64% of the total, with X 2 of 22.7 with 0.001 p -value. Amongst the groups, the income distribution shows a statistically significant difference in earnings between independent and public irrigators ( χ 2 = 25.83, p < 0.001). Informal and formal markets are accessible and available to 59% of independent irrigators, but 30% of public irrigators only access the informal market ( p < 0.001). The major identified challenge across all smallholders is the lack of food value addition and commercial packaging. The study recommends the development of food value addition initiatives, adoption of climate-smart practices, maintenance of infrastructure, and improvement of market access to enhance productivity and sustainability.

Keywords: smallholder irrigators; agrifood systems; crop selection; market accessibility; farming dynamics; South Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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