Factors Influencing the Adoption of Climate-Smart Irrigation Technologies for Sustainable Crop Productivity by Smallholder Farmers in Arid Areas of South Africa

Abstract

The adoption of climate-smart irrigation technologies amongst smallholder farmers generally remains low beside their role in combating food and nutrition security in a society and in climate change adaptation strategies. This study identified the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ decision to adopt Climate Smart Irrigation Technologies (CSIT) in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Data were collected through the completion of a face-to-face structured questionnaire by 100 smallholder farmers selected through convenience and purposive sampling. A probit regression and OLS model were used to identify factors that influence the smallholder farmer’s decision to adopt CSIT and the level of adoption. The results indicated that only 46% of the smallholder farmers adopted climate-smart irrigation technologies and suggested that adoption is influenced positively by factors such as gender, age, district, farm size, staple food production and knowledge on CSIT. There is an urgent need for related stakeholders to transform the smallholder farmer subsector through improved extension services, training, adopting resilient crop varieties, promoting underutilized and nutrient-dense crops adapted to harsh local conditions, and other interventions. This should be done by promoting awareness to smallholder farmers regarding these interventions and new technologies that have the potential to improve rural livelihoods and enhance resilience and adaptation.

Factors influencing Adoption of Irrigation Technologies among Smallholder Farmers in Machakos County, Kenya

“…Due to cultural prejudices, males are known to enjoy exclusive rights in farm decision-making procedures. The outcome corroborates the study by Oyetunde-Usman et al (2021); Serote, Mokgehle, Du Plooy, Mpandeli, Nhamo, and Senyolo (2021), that the sex of the households' head is a significant factor in agricultural technology adoption decisions.…”

Knowledge, Attitude and the Practice of Climate-Smart Agriculture among Smallholder Farmers in Isingiro District, South Western Uganda

“…Nevertheless, youths do not consider agriculture as a source of livelihood. The low involvement of youths in agriculture reported in the current study is in agreement with South Africa; older farmers willingly adopted irrigation as a Climate-smart technology (Serote et al, 2021). This confirms that older farmers are majorly engaged in farming activities than young ones.…”

“…Implementation of some CSA practices like the use of improved varieties, inorganic fertilisers, mulching, and farm yard manure, requires a financial investment. Therefore, farmers who cannot meet or afford such costs won't be able to adopt such practices Serote et al (2021). One of the farmers explained, "A canter lorry of grass for mulching costs a minimum of 100,000 UGX, which I cannot afford.…”

“…Farmers with larger land holdings have a more likelihood of applying different CSA practices. According to Atube et al (2021) and Serote et al (2021), land scarcity was also highlighted as a limiting factor towards CSA adoption.…”

The Determinants of Adoption and Intensity of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices among Smallholder Maize Farmers

“…The probit regression model has been used by many researchers in studies relating to adoption. Serote et al [26] used the probit regression model to evaluate the factors influencing the adoption of climate smart irrigation technologies for sustainable crop productivity by smallholder farmers. Mutenje et al [27] used the probit regression model to evaluate the cost-benefit analysis of CSA options in southern Africa.…”