Smallholder willingness to pay and preferences in the way irrigation water should be managed: a choice experiment application in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Efficient and sustainable utilization of irrigation water is the key to realizing the objective of enhancing agricultural productivity and commercializing smallholder irrigation farming. Valuing and recognizing the scarcity of irrigation water is essential for its sustainable use. Using cross-sectional data from 328 smallholders in and around Makhathini and Ndumo-B irrigation schemes in KwaZulu-Natal Province, the study aimed to assess smallholder farmers’ preferences for the way irrigation water resources should be managed and their willingness to pay for irrigation water. This was done employing a choice experiment method. The results suggest the need for irrigation water pricing to reflect irrigation intensity. They also show that improving agricultural production and productivity, with market access can enhance farmers’ willingness and ability to pay for irrigation water. The need to consider multiple uses of irrigation water for sustainable utilization of water resources is evident, while supporting women smallholders will have a positive impact on their willingness to pay for irrigation water. The paper recommends a shift towards on-farm volumetric water pricing in the irrigation schemes. The schemes should also have clearly defined boundaries and enforceable rules on collective use of water. The design of irrigation infrastructure should integrate other uses of irrigation water such as domestic and livestock purposes. Consequently, there is a need for further research to ensure that irrigation water prices reflect the marginal value of irrigation water use. Policies should address factors that inherently result in gender differences in terms of access to productive resources which negatively affect sustainable water utilization.

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

“…South Africa falls amongst the 30th driest countries in the world, and climate change has enhanced the situation further through changes in rainfall amounts and patterns [14,15]. The country receives a highly uneven annual rainfall distribution of approximately 500 mm, compared to the global average of 860 mm [15].…”

“…South Africa falls amongst the 30th driest countries in the world, and climate change has enhanced the situation further through changes in rainfall amounts and patterns [14,15]. The country receives a highly uneven annual rainfall distribution of approximately 500 mm, compared to the global average of 860 mm [15]. Although 70% of the grain crop production in the country occurs on dry land, only 35% receive enough rainfall required for successful dryland crop production.…”

Informing Equitable Water and Food Policies through Accurate Spatial Information on Irrigated Areas in Smallholder Farming Systems

“…Irrigated agriculture is fundamental to food and water security as it accounts for 40% of global food production on less than a third of the world's cropped land [53]. The proportion could increase if the uncounted water used in smallholder irrigation is included [54]. Irrigation is projected to play a pivotal role in future food production because of climate change and associated variability [4,55,56].…”

Tackling climate risk to sustainably intensify smallholder maize farming systems in southern Africa

“…This indicates that where water resources are available, irrigation infrastructure subsidies could reduce this barrier and develop an avenue for farmers to improve production. In a study of smallholder farming systems in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Chipfupa and Wale (2019) promote governmental subsidies for initial irrigation infrastructure that are repaid by farmers over time. However, a lack of running and maintenance cost support can cause such initiatives to fail (personal communication: representative of the Water Research Commission, South Africa, SALLnet stakeholder workshop 2021).…”