The impact of independent smallholder irrigation on rural livelihoods in Msinga local municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.

Abstract

Independent irrigation is becoming more recognised in the research community and policy worldwide, apart from South Africa. It is associated with improving rural livelihoods by boosting household incomes and reducing poverty and food insecurities. South African literature sources on these irrigators do not present enough evidence to consider independent irrigation a reliable investment for irrigation development. In filling this gap, this research aimed to describe the livelihoods of independent irrigators and their contribution to rural livelihoods in Msinga Local Municipality. The study collected survey data from 101 irrigators selected using snowball sampling and four Focus Groups Discussions with participants chosen using a homogeneous purposive sample technique. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, the Probit model, and Thematic Content Analysis. The study revealed that irrigator households in this Msinga had a weak asset base. Irrigators had restricted access to agricultural land, and most irrigators suffered severe limitations in irrigation water availability due to the unpredictability of their irrigation water source, hampered by periodic droughts in the research region. Msinga’s restricted land access meant crop production activities were limited to microscale production, and irrigation water shortcomings further hindered Msinga's independent irrigation land productivity. In Msinga, the study found that the crop production physical assets were limited to hand tools, implying that the physical assets were sufficient for independent irrigators’ current production spaces but needed to be improved to engage in crop production on a larger scale. Typical of the livelihoods of rural households in South Africa, Msinga households were ‘diversified’ because they typically contained multiple ways of obtaining income but centred around claiming against the state. Production of independent irrigated land was the second most important income source. Despite all its shortcomings, independent irrigation increased average annual household income by R8 156.90, 15.3% of the total average household income. Crops harvested at the irrigation plot were also consumed at home, forming part of the food expenditure and the money from sales was used to purchase other food items. Even though the contribution was "limited", independent irrigation improved Msinga irrigator households’ livelihoods through income generation and security of food. With relevant interventions in supporting these irrigators, independent irrigation could be an appropriate development path for rural households with proper interventions.