A review of possibilities for using animal tracking devices to mitigate stock theft in smallholder livestock farming systems in rural South Africa

Abstract

Stock theft is among the major challenges faced by livestock farmers in South Africa. It has severe consequences especially for smallholder farmers, who collectively own a large share of the South African livestock herds but individually keep small herds. In recent years, technological improvements and innovations have made it possible to track livestock movements by using GPS animal tracking devices. Low-cost GPS has been developed and used elsewhere and in the local commercial sector. Given the well-known role of extension, i.e. information and technology dissemination, the possibility that smallholders adopt GPS animal tracking devices should be evaluated. However, very few studies have made a case for using this technology in curbing stock theft among smallholder farmers. This review therefore addresses the likelihood that smallholder livestock farmers in South Africa adopt GPS animal tracking devices to mitigate the impact of stock theft. Using a semi-systematic and a snowball literature review approach, we consulted and reviewed the relevant literature and official statistics relating to stock theft and smallholder livestock farming. Results from the reviewed literature suggest that the likelihood of GPS animal tracking device adoption by smallholders will depend on a) the awareness about the devices and how they work, b) the acuteness of stock theft for a farmer and how livestock contributes the farmer’s livelihood, and c) the income level, access to mobile phones and risk behaviour of farmers. Our literature findings identify areas for future research and may help agricultural extension personnel with future research topics.

Factors Influencing the Perceptions of Smallholder Farmers towards Adoption of Digital Technologies in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

“…Even though various studies on the use of digital technologies have been conducted in South Africa, most have been adoption studies [5,17,18] with very few highlighting the factors affecting smallholder farmers' perceptions towards digital technologies. Some of these studies have also taken qualitative approaches, lacking in statistical rigour [19][20][21][22]. It is essential to acknowledge the perceptions of digital technologies by farmers to enable development of appropriate technologies [23].…”

Investigation of Challenges Faced by Small-Scale Sheep Farmers in the Northern Cape (Hantam Karoo), South Africa

“…Such diseases may affect the productivity of farming systems. Small-scale farmers keep small herds of livestock; thus, each loss means a source loss of livelihood (Zantsi & Nkunjana, 2021). This study found that 34% of the respondents indicated that yellow fever diseases are affecting their sheep, while pulpy kidney (25%), blue tongue (25%), botulism (9%) and sheep bloat (25%) were also concerned (Table 3).…”

A systematic study on stock theft contributory factors during the South African lockdown

“…It has been found that 85% of victims of all reported livestock theft in the country are either non-Value Added Tax (VAT) registered and communal farmers. (Zantsi & Nkunjana, 2021) highlights that stock theft is among the major challenges faced by livestock farmers in South Africa. It has severe consequences especially for smallholder farmers, who collectively own a large share of the South African livestock herds but individually keep small herds, lockdown period included.…”