scholarly journals Effects of Cultivated Area on Smallholder Farm Profits and Food Security in Rural Communities of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 3272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nyarai M. Mujuru ◽  
Ajuruchukwu Obi
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Land Reform ◽  
Market Access ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Seemingly Unrelated Regression ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Farm Type ◽  
Smallholder Farm

As rural poverty deepens over much of Sub-Saharan Africa, smallholder transformation has become more urgent than ever before. A majority of rural people derive their livelihoods from agriculture, hence the urgent need for transforming the sector. The South African government launched a comprehensive land reform programme at the dawn of democracy in the country on the assumption that constraints on land size would be eliminated to make room for a more inclusive agricultural economy. The present study sought to assess how cultivated area affects food security and the profits of maize and cabbage farmers. The purposive sampling technique was used for the selection of study sites, from which 158 irrigators and homestead gardeners were selected. The data were then subjected to analysis by defining a maximum likelihood estimator that combines the seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) and one-way error correction model, to determine the factors influencing food security and farm profits. The model revealed diverse relationships, suggesting that location, farm type and income were important variables in explaining food security. The area under cultivation was found to influence profits for both crops. Policies in favour of technology adoption, market access and input use would greatly incentivize farmers to cultivate larger plots of land.

scholarly journals Drivers of household food availability in sub-Saharan Africa based on big data from small farms

2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (2) ◽  
pp. 458-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romain Frelat ◽  
Santiago Lopez-Ridaura ◽  
Ken E. Giller ◽  
Mario Herrero ◽  
Sabine Douxchamps ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Availability ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Market Access ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Smallholder Farm ◽  
Sub Saharan

We calculated a simple indicator of food availability using data from 93 sites in 17 countries across contrasted agroecologies in sub-Saharan Africa (>13,000 farm households) and analyzed the drivers of variations in food availability. Crop production was the major source of energy, contributing 60% of food availability. The off-farm income contribution to food availability ranged from 12% for households without enough food available (18% of the total sample) to 27% for the 58% of households with sufficient food available. Using only three explanatory variables (household size, number of livestock, and land area), we were able to predict correctly the agricultural determined status of food availability for 72% of the households, but the relationships were strongly influenced by the degree of market access. Our analyses suggest that targeting poverty through improving market access and off-farm opportunities is a better strategy to increase food security than focusing on agricultural production and closing yield gaps. This calls for multisectoral policy harmonization, incentives, and diversification of employment sources rather than a singular focus on agricultural development. Recognizing and understanding diversity among smallholder farm households in sub-Saharan Africa is key for the design of policies that aim to improve food security.

Analysis of Causes and Coping Strategies of Food Insecurity: The Case of Central and North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
pp. 097300522110352
Author(s):  
Wondim Awoke ◽  
Kefale Eniyew ◽  
Belete Meseret
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Cropping Pattern ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
And Coping

In Ethiopia, food insecurity is a major problem, which affects the livelihood of rural communities. Hence, this study was conducted in Central and North Gondar Zones with the main aim of analysing causes and coping strategies of food insecurity. Primary data were collected through an interview schedule, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. A total of 500 sample respondents were selected through a systematic sampling technique. Data were analysed through simple descriptive statistics and a chi-square test. Frequently used coping strategies by sample respondents were planting early maturing crop (82.4%), turning to low-quality and cheaper foodstuff (81.2%), changing cropping pattern (78.6%), sale of livestock (75.6%) and purchasing food on cash 75.0%. Sex, educational status, fertiliser utilisation, livelihood diversification and off-farm activities had an association and significant with a food security status of sample respondents at p ≤ 0.01. Furthermore, farmland and on-farm were significantly associated with food security status at 0.01 < p ≤ 0.05 and 0.05 < p ≤ 0.10, respectively. To ensure food security, different organisations that support rural households should be aware of peak food insecurity seasons. Moreover, due attention should be paid to practical-oriented education and training to diversify the household’s livelihood.

Micro-agricultural water management technologies for food security in southern Africa: part of the solution or a red herring?

Water Policy ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 515-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas J. Merrey ◽  
Hilmy Sally
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Agricultural Water ◽  
Agricultural Water Management ◽  
Agricultural Growth ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Sub Saharan

This paper is based on a review of experiences with a wide range of micro-agricultural water management technologies in sub-Saharan Africa with a special emphasis on southern Africa. The major finding of the study is that these technologies have the potential to make major contributions to improving food security, reducing rural poverty and promoting broad-based agricultural growth. However, there are serious policy impediments to successfully scaling out the use of these technologies at both national and regional levels. The paper makes seven specific policy recommendations whose implementation would enable promotion of wider uptake.

scholarly journals Decentralization from Above, Dispossession by Recognition: Contradictions in Tanzania's New Wave Land Reforms

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-61
Author(s):  
Juan José Del Valle Coello
Keyword(s):  
Land Reform ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
New Wave ◽  
Land Reforms ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
Land Access ◽  
International Pressures ◽  
Sub Saharan

Recent decades have seen a surge in land reform throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, largely described as “new wave” land reforms aiming to promote rural development through decentralization and formal recognition of claims to land. Focusing on Tanzania, a country with historically highly centralized land management, this investigation examines how new legislation, in particular the 1999 Village Land Act, has attempted to address both local concerns and international pressures and evaluates how successful reforms have been in terms of both. This paper analyzes these reforms in the context of neoliberalism and the related “pro-poor growth” model, which advocates for the formalization and marketization of land titles as a long-term solution to rural poverty. It first provides a theoretical background on the debates surrounding land reform strategies and then examines specific examples from reforms in Tanzania.Tanzania’s reforms have been guided both by local grievances (such as lack of clarity and security regarding access to land) and international pressures (desiring, among other things, greater ease of foreign investment and the creation of a rural land market); as such, issues have frequently arisen in attempting to reconcile sometimes contradictory demands and determining priorities. The results of reforms have been mixed. Formalization, in particular, has shown the potential to exacerbate inequality instead of reducing it, and the process of formalization itself can lead to an increase in conflict over land. However, reforms have also opened new avenues for previously marginalized groups, such as pastoralists, to secure land access through participation in civil society.

scholarly journals Weather patterns, food security and humanitarian response in sub-Saharan Africa

2005 ◽  
Vol 360 (1463) ◽  
pp. 2169-2182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Menghestab Haile
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
El Niño ◽  
El Nino ◽  
Humanitarian Aid ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Food Shortages ◽  
Sub Saharan

Although considerable achievements in the global reduction of hunger and poverty have been made, progress in Africa so far has been very limited. At present, a third of the African population faces widespread hunger and chronic malnutrition and is exposed to a constant threat of acute food crisis and famine. The most affected are rural households whose livelihood is heavily dependent on traditional rainfed agriculture. Rainfall plays a major role in determining agricultural production and hence the economic and social well being of rural communities. The rainfall pattern in sub-Saharan Africa is influenced by large-scale intra-seasonal and inter-annual climate variability including occasional El Niño events in the tropical Pacific resulting in frequent extreme weather event such as droughts and floods that reduce agricultural outputs resulting in severe food shortages. Households and communities facing acute food shortages are forced to adopt coping strategies to meet the immediate food requirements of their families. These extreme responses may have adverse long-term impacts on households' ability to have sustainable access to food as well as the environment. The HIV/AIDS crisis has also had adverse impacts on food production activities on the continent. In the absence of safety nets and appropriate financial support mechanisms, humanitarian aid is required to enable households effectively cope with emergencies and manage their limited resources more efficiently. Timely and appropriate humanitarian aid will provide households with opportunities to engage in productive and sustainable livelihood strategies. Investments in poverty reduction efforts would have better impact if complemented with timely and predictable response mechanisms that would ensure the protection of livelihoods during crisis periods whether weather or conflict-related. With an improved understanding of climate variability including El Niño, the implications of weather patterns for the food security and vulnerability of rural communities have become more predictable and can be monitored effectively. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how current advances in the understanding of climate variability, weather patterns and food security could contribute to improved humanitarian decision-making. The paper will propose new approaches for triggering humanitarian responses to weather-induced food crises.

scholarly journals Addressing the challenges of food security and youth unemployment in South Africa through land reform policies

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 52-59
Author(s):  
Akwasi Arko-Achemfuor
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Land Reform ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Youth Unemployment ◽  
Jel Classification ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
The Government ◽  
Policies And Programs ◽  
Past Injustices ◽  
Poverty Levels

South Africa’s past policy of apartheid has contributed to some of the socio-economic challenges the country faces today. Some of the challenges include grinding poverty levels, increasing inequality and unemployment among large sections of the population. The constitution of the country makes provision for property and land rights as strategies for addressing some of the past injustices, ensuring food insecurity and sustainable livelihoods. A number of polices have been drafted in this regard, but it is acknowledged that some of the policies that have been adopted by the government have not yielded the desired result leading to the fear that if the situation is not radically addressed may lead to unintended consequences. This paper assesses a number of polices, programs, approaches and strategies regarding land reform policies have that been put into place, most of which have not worked as expected including the fact that the youth have not been factored into most of these programs and policies. This article advocates for the youth to be factored into all land reform and food security policies and programs as a way of capacitating them and getting the youth to see agriculture as a career choice to ensure future food security for the nation, while at the same time addressing youth unemployment and rural poverty. Keywords: land reform, youth, food security, livelihoods, development, policy. JEL Classification: Q15, Q18, O2

INTENSIFICATION BENEFIT INDEX: HOW MUCH CAN RURAL HOUSEHOLDS BENEFIT FROM AGRICULTURAL INTENSIFICATION?

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. HARRIS
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Rural Households ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Small Farms ◽  
Actual Performance ◽  
Smallholder Farm

SUMMARYSustainable intensification (SI) of agriculture is the predominant objective for agricultural research and extension worldwide. Researchers and policymakers consider SI to be essential to avoid global hunger, improve human nutrition and reduce rural poverty while avoiding all manner of environmental disasters. To achieve these global public goods requires a large number of rural households – ‘small farmers’ – in less developed countries to improve their agriculture. Household size and farm size from 11,789 households in 15 countries from sub-Saharan Africa were used to calculate an intensification benefit index (IBI) that reflects how much a household will benefit if intensification occurs. IBI is defined as the increase in personal daily income (cents/person/day) as returns to land (dollars/hectare/year) increase. Actual net farm income from 160 rural households in each of three countries was compared with their IBI values to explore the gap between potential intensification and current smallholder farm performance. Fifty percent of all households had IBI values less than 0.075 cents/dollar, 70% less than 0.125 cents/dollar and 90% less than 0.225 cents/dollar. Returns of $1000/ha/year would result in fewer than 15% of households crossing a $2/person/day poverty line; $2500/ha/year would be required to lift 50% of the sample above the line; and even with $4000/ha/year, more than 30% of households would remain below the line. Since mean net returns from three sub-sampled sites were only $78, $83 and $424/ha/year the gap between potential- and actual performance is large but, theoretically, amenable to closure through adoption of improved technologies. However, surveys have shown that the available technologies would struggle to bridge the gap completely for rural households with small farms. For many small farms, the gains from adopting improved technologies are unlikely by themselves to lift them out of poverty and so might not be as attractive as scientists would wish.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on Smallholder Poultry Farmers in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 11475
Author(s):  
Oladeji Bamidele ◽  
Tunde Adegoke Amole
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Poverty Line ◽  
Household Size ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Poultry Production ◽  
Monthly Income ◽  
Poultry Farmers ◽  
The Impact

In sub-Saharan Africa, most households in rural communities keep smallholder poultry, and are exposed to harsh socio-economic conditions caused by COVID-19 pandemic due to the vulnerability of their production systems to crisis. This study assessed the impact of COVID-19 on 525 smallholder poultry farmers in five states of Nigeria. The study was conducted 15 months after the onset of the pandemic in Nigeria using structured questionnaires focused on socio-demography, income, production systems, markets, and food security. Average household size increased from 6.9 before COVID-19, to 8.3 during COVID-19, representing a 20.3% increase in population growth. Over half (52.6%) of this increase was due to childbirths. Average monthly income before and during the pandemic was reduced from NGN 22,565 (USD 62.70) to NGN15,617 (USD 38.10), respectively. During the pandemic, there was a 28.4% increase in the number of farmers living below the international poverty line of USD 1.90 per day. In addition, reliance on chickens for food and income was significantly (p < 0.05) impacted by gender, location, household size, and monthly income. These results show that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on the livelihoods and food security of farmers, and the findings are essential in developing appropriate post-COVID-19 interventions for smallholder poultry production in Nigeria.

scholarly journals MICROFINANCE AND RURAL POVERTY ALLEVIATION: A REALITY?

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Taofeek Aremu Kasali ◽  
Siti Aznor Ahmad ◽  
Hock-Eam Lim
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Rural Poor ◽  
Microfinance Institutions

It is a truism that if Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) play their expected role, poverty will reduce and there will be more employment opportunity and adequate economic development particularly in the rural areas. Poverty is more devastating in Sub-Saharan Africa than the rest of the world. This paper examines the contributions of microfinance towards the rural poverty reduction. To achieve this objective, the study adopted multi-stage random sampling technique to collect primary data through the structured questionnaire. A total sample of 1,134 microfinance loan beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries were used as respondents from three (Ogun, Osun and Oyo states) out of six states in South- West Nigeria. Statistical Percentage Techniques were used to describe the characteristics of the sample from the study. The results revealed that microfinance has marginal effects on the rural poor in Southwest Nigeria. Policy makers are advised to provide adequate infrastructural facilities that will encourage MFIs to establish branches in the rural areas. MFIs should endeavor to create more awareness to the rural poor with realistic loan procedure that will encourage the poor to access microcredit loan.Keywords: Economic Development; Poverty; Microfinance Institutions; rural poor; Nigeria.

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