http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1013 2026-04-13T12:22:28Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1025 Revitalization of Irrigation Schemes in the Sekhukhune District to Commercialize Crop Production Limpopo Department of Agriculture This study was undertaken by a team comprised of five staff members from both the Agricultural Research Council and Limpopo Department of Agriculture (LDA), participating in the Agricultural Research for Development (ARD) learning programme, at the Tompi Seleka Farmer Development Centre. The study was conducted in the Sekhukhune district of Limpopo Province, to identify opportunities for commercializing crop production in Elandskraal, Krokodil, Phetwane, Mogalatsane and Setlaboswane irrigation schemes. The analysis of the various irrigation schemes led to the conclusion, that there is dichotomy on the views on commercialization at the various schemes as well as negative perceptions of manner in which LDA introduced the strategy by the farmers. The farmers felt much needs to be done before their farming units could be economically viable. This would need to include; providing assistance to secure farming resources, improving farming infrastructure, capacity building to enhance technical and business skills and providing incentives to promote youth participation as crucial steps in setting up a comprehensive development programme for the schemes. The study therefore recommends improved access to production resources and strengthening of local structures to enable the farming enterprises to realize the anticipated commercial potential. It was also strongly suggested that, a basket of options for commercializing the farm units be presented to farmers, to accommodate the diversity of the farmers in the irrigation scheme. The study also identified a need to have strong coordination in the economic development of schemes by service providers and all stakeholders through a forum. 2014-05-06T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1023 Indigenous Pest & Disease Control Methods Used in Crop & Livestock Production in the Sekhukhune District Limpopo Department of Agriculture The report is a product of the research conducted with the communities in Diphagane, Ga- Mashabela and Ga-Phaahla in Sekhukhune District of Limpopo, South Africa, to investigate Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) for the control of pests and diseases. The fundamental issue is that the current use of indigenous plants for indigenous technologies in the villages studied is promising but underexploited or underutilized in research and eventually by the communities themselves. The study reported on was conducted against the backdrop of international, regional and national discussions over the decline of biological diversity. Biological diversity, encompass all species of plants, animals, and microorganisms; variability within these and the ecological processes that form and sustain them. Agriculture has been identified as one of the three pillars of economic development strategy for the Limpopo Province. According to Oni et al (2004), there is a need to identify strategic interventions required from government in areas of competitive advantage to stimulate the agricultural and rural economy, especially to commercialize the smallholder agriculture. The study used Agricultural Research for Development (ARD), a multistakeholder approach to solving complex agricultural problems. Conducting strategic development in an ARD context helps one to consider options most likely to result in a desirable future situation. In this study, strategies were determined by what was learnt through engaging with stakeholders during the data gathering process. The Diphagane project was used as the main focus of the study, with the two other villages serving comparative analysis purposes. The project’s mission is to provide an attractive range of bio- products for diverse pests and diseases, conservation of indigenous plants used and minimizing the use of chemicals in production. 2014-05-06T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1022 WHAT ROLE CAN SOIL CONSERVATION PLAY IN IMPROVING CROP PRODUCTION IN SEKHUKHUNE DISTRICT? Limpopo Department of Agriculture; Limpopo Department of Agriculture The study was conducted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Agricultural Research for Development training programme offered by the Agricultural Research Council and the International Centre for development oriented Research in Agriculture. The study was conducted at Leeukraal and Tafelkop villages in the Sekhukhune District of Limpopo Province. The purpose of the study was to identify soil conservation practices in the area and develop conservation agriculture strategies that can be implemented by the Limpopo Department of Agriculture in the district for sustainable crop production. A partnership has been formed by Limpopo Provincial Department of Agriculture (LDA), Universities of Venda and Limpopo, Local Municipalities and ARC concerned about the low level of crop production in the area. Food security and scarce of resources by small-scale farmers are believed to be some of the challenges that are faced by farmers in Sekhukhune district. It is envisaged that, through the (ARD) programme, this partnership will assist in planning and implementation of future agricultural development projects in the province. Participatory Rural Appraisal tools were used to collect the data. Stakeholders’ perceptions were gathered and development strategies were proposed by the team. These strategies were validated, through a stakeholder workshop, with the all the relevant stakeholders including the farmers in both the targeted villages. Both villages were visited to observe the farming practices as well as natural resources that are available. Although the soils of these villages appear to be good, there is limited crop production due to a number of factors, which includes erratic rainfall, unavailability of relevant farming equipments and soil degradation. The recommendations that were developed during this study can be employed provided that there is an appropriate partnership amongst the relevant stakeholders. 2014-05-06T00:00:00Z