Assessment of water governance institutions and their roles in smallholder irrigation schemes of Nzhelele Area, Limpopo Province

Rudzani Nedombeloni; Mushaisano Agnes Mathaulula; Emmanuel Mwendera

doi:10.20525/ijrbs.v14i6.4273

Authors

Rudzani Nedombeloni University of Venda https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5316-1826
Mushaisano Agnes Mathaulula Institute for Rural Development, University of Venda, South Africa. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3790-2959
Emmanuel Mwendera CLOVITA Consulting Services, https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6190-9345

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v14i6.4273

Keywords:

Smallholder Irrigation Scheme; Water Governance; Institutions; Rural Livelihoods; Rules And Regulations

Abstract

Smallholder irrigation schemes have been a significant strategy to ensure food security and poverty reduction in rural areas worldwide. Despite the efforts by the South African government to rehabilitate and revitalise smallholder irrigation schemes, the schemes have been performing below expectations. This follows the failure of water governance institutions to execute their roles within the schemes, thus affecting optimum agricultural production. Therefore, it is against this background that this study sought to assess water governance institutions and their related roles at Nzhelele area of Vhembe District, South Africa. A mixed-methods research design was adopted. Fifty-six farmers were selected through a census sampling method to participate in qualitative and quantitative data collection using a semi-structured interview guide and a questionnaire. Qualitative data were analysed using Atlas.ti, Version 8.0 software to perform thematic content analysis. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 28 for descriptive statistics. The study revealed that there are various water governance institutions within the schemes, namely, the scheme committee, the Water Users Association, and the Informal water institutions. These water governance institutions have varied roles regarding irrigation water governance within the schemes. Based on the findings, this study recommends that water governance institutions should be active in performing their roles and responsibilities in irrigation schemes to foster improvement in adherence to the water rules and regulations in place.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Arisukwu, O., Igbolekwu, C. O., Oyekola, I. A., Oyeyipo, E. J., Asamu, F. F. & Osueke, O. N. (2021). Spousal support during pregnancy in the Nigerian rural context: a mixed methods study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 21, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-04135-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-04135-3

Chifamba, E., Nyanga, T. & Gukurume, S. (2013). Irrigation Water Pricing and Cost

Recuperation for Sustainability of Irrigation Projects in Nyanyadzi, Zimbabwe. Russian Journal of Agricultural and Socio-Economic Sciences, 3(15): 39-53. https://doi.org/10.18551/rjoas.2013-03.07 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18551/rjoas.2013-03.07

Chikazunga, D. & Paradza, G. (2012). Can smallholder farmers find a home in South Africa’s food system? Lessons from Limpopo Province.

Caruth, G.D. (2013). Demystifying mixed methods research design: A review of the literature. Online Submission, 3(2):112-122. https://doi.org/10.13054/mije.13.35.3.2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.13054/mije.13.35.3.2

Creswell, J.W., Klassen, A.C., Plano Clark, V.L. & Smith, K.C. (2011). Best practices for mixed methods research in the health sciences. Bethesda (Maryland): National Institutes of Health, pp.541-545. https://doi.org/10.1037/e566732013-001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/e566732013-001

De Vos, A, S., Strydom, H., Fouche, C.B. & Deport, C.S.L. (2012). Research at Grassroots for the Social Sciences and Human Service Professions. Pretoria: Van Schaick Publishers.

De Vos, A.S. (2010). Research at the Grassroots.3rd Edition. Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers

Dirwai T. L, Senzanje A., & Mudhara M. (2019). Water governance impacts on water adequacy in smallholder irrigation schemes in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Water Policy, 21(1):127-46. https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2018.149 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2018.149

Fanadzo, M. & Ncube, B. (2018). Challenges and opportunities for revitalizing smallholder irrigation schemes in South Africa. Water SA, 44(3):436-447. https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v44i3.11 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v44i3.11

Food and Agriculture Organization. (2012). Men and women in agriculture: closing the gap. Available online: http://www.fao.org/sofa/gender/did-you-know/en/

Heale, R. & Forbes, D. (2013). Understanding triangulation in research. Evidence-based nursing, 16(4), pp.98-98. https://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2013-101494 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2013-101494

Htonl, J. (2016). Based on File: Map of Limpopo with municipalities blank.svg. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makhado_Local_Municipality#/media/File:Map_of_Limpopo_with_districts_shaded_and_municipalities_numbered_(2016).svg

Kajembe, G. C., Vedeld, P., Babili, I. H. & Mosha, D. B. (2016). Institutional Sustainability in the Face of Climate Change: Empirical Insights from Irrigation Institutions in the Iringa Rural District, Tanzania. In Climate Change and Multi-Dimensional Sustainability in African Agriculture (pp. 23-41). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41238-2_3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41238-2_3

Kesuma, S. I., Maryunianta, Y. & Muda, I. (2018). Evaluation of the irrigation system to support the implementation of the food security policy. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 9(9):600-614. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1241/1/012052 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1241/1/012052

Machethe, C. L, Mollel, N. M, Ayisi, K, Mashotola, M. B, Anim, F. D. K. & Vanasche, F.

(2004). Small-holder Irrigation and Agricultural Development in the Olifants River Basin of Limpopo Province: Management Transfer, Productivity, Profitability and Food Security Issues. Report No. 1050/1/04. Water Research Commission, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa.

Maepa, M. A, Makombe, G. & Kanjere, M. (2014). Is the revitalisation of small-holder

irrigation schemes (RESIS) programme in South Africa a viable option for

small-holder irrigation development? Water SA, 40 (3): 495 - 502.

Makhado Municipality. Integrated Development Plan. 2018/19. https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v40i3.13 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v40i3.13

Mohammed, N. (2019). Small-Scale Irrigation Development for Rural Ethiopia. Journal of Saemaulogy, 4(2):79-110.

Muchara, B. (2014). The Economics of Smallholder Irrigation Water Management: Institutions, Water-use Values and Farmer Participation in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Doctoral dissertation, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa).

Mucina, L., Rutherford, M. C. & Powrie, L. (2006). Vegetation map of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland: an illustrated guide.

Mudau, K. S. (2010). Farmers’ strategies and modes of operation in smallholder irrigation schemes in South Africa: A case study of the Mamuhohi Irrigation Scheme in Limpopo province. Master’s Thesis, University of Pretoria.

Mudhara, M. & Senzanje, A. (2020). Assessment of policies and strategies for the governance of smallholder irrigation farming in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.

Mwadzingeni, L., Mugandani, R. & Mafongoya, P.L. (2021). Assessing vulnerability to climate change in smallholder irrigation schemes of Zimbabwe. Sustainability, 13(18): 10023. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810023

Namara, R.E., Hanjra, M.A., Castillo, G.E., Ravnborg, H.M., Smith, L. & Van Koppen, B. (2010). Agricultural water management and poverty linkages. Agricultural Water Management, 97(4):520-527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2009.05.007. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2009.05.007

Nanjundeswaraswamy, T.S. and Divakar, S., (2021). Determination of sample size and sampling methods in applied research. Proceedings on Engineering Sciences, 3(1), pp.25-32. https://doi.org/10.24874/pes03.01.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24874/PES03.01.003

Njeru, L.K. & Gichimu, B.M., (2014). Influence of access to land and finances on Kenyan Youth Participation in Agriculture: A Review. European Centre for Research Training and Development, United Kingdom

Özerol, G., Vinke-de Kruijf, J., Brisbois, M. C., Flores, C. C., Deekshit, P., Girard, C., Knieper, C., Mirnezami, S. J., Ortega-Reig, M., Ranjan, P. & Schröder, N. J. (2018). Comparative studies of water governance. Ecology and Society, 23(4). https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-10548-230443 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-10548-230443

Pahl-Wostl, C. (2015). Water governance in the face of global change. Springer International Publishing: Switzerland. doi, 10, pp.978-3. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21855-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21855-7

Playán, E., Sagardoy, J. A. & Castillo, R. (2018). Irrigation governance in developing countries: Current problems and solutions. Water, 10(9):1118-1124. https://doi.org/10.3390/w10091118 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w10091118

Poussin, J. C., Renaudin, L., Adogoba, D., Sanon, A., Tazen, F., Dogbe, W., Fusillier, J. L., Barbier, B. & Cecchi, P. (2015). Performance of small reservoir irrigated schemes in the Upper Volta basin: Case studies in Burkina Faso and Ghana. Water Resources and Rural Development, (6):50-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wrr.2015.05.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wrr.2015.05.001

Renault, D., Facon, T. & Wahaj, R. (2007). Modernising irrigation management: The MASSCOTE Approach- mapping system and services for canal operation techniques. Food & Agricultural Organisation.

Ringler, C. & Zhu, T. (2015). Water resources and food security. Agronomy Journal. 107, 1533–1538. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj14.0256 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj14.0256

Simango, P. M. (2015). An Assessment of Women’s Participation in Agricultural Production: A Case Study of Marange Irrigation Scheme in Zimbabwe. Master’s Thesis, University of the Western Cape: South Africa.

Sinyolo. S., Mudhara. M. & Wale. E. (2014). The impact of smallholder irrigation on household welfare: The case of Tugela Ferry irrigation scheme in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Water SA, 40(1): 145: 156. https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v40i1.18 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v40i1.18

Statistics South Africa. (2011). Mid-year population Estimates. Pretoria: Statistics South Africa

Statistics South Africa. (2016). Mid-year population estimates. Pretoria: Statistics South Africa

Takona, J.P. (2024). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches / sixth edition. Quality and Quantity 58, 1011–1013. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-023-01798-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-023-01798-2

Van Averbeke, W, Denison, J. & Mnkeni, PNS. (2010). Small-holder irrigation

Schemes in South Africa: A review of knowledge generated by the Water

Research Commission. Water SA 37(5): 797-808. https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v37i5.17 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v37i5.17

Van Averbeke, W. (2012). Performance of smallholder irrigation schemes in the Vhembe District of South Africa. Problems, Perspectives and Challenges of Agricultural Water Management. https://doi.org/10.5772/29182 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5772/29182

Williams, J. & Grafton, R.Q. (2019). Missing in action: Possible effects of water recovery on stream and river flows in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia. Australasian Journal of Water Resources, pp.1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/13241583.2019.1579965 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13241583.2019.1579965