Agricultural Shocks and Constraints Encountered by Independent Smallholder Irrigators in Msinga Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa

S.V. Dube; K. Caister

doi:10.17159/2413-3221/2026/v54n1a20494

Authors

S.V. Dube University of KwaZulu Natal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8517-7208
K. Caister University of KwaZulu-Natal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8874-632X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2026/v54n1a20494

Keywords:

Agricultural Extension, Crop Production, Droughts, Market Participation, Production Inputs

Abstract

Smallholder farmers' market participation is an effective vehicle for securing better incomes, reducing poverty, and enhancing household food security, especially in rural areas. However, smallholders face various challenges that prevent them from benefiting from the opportunities in agricultural output markets. This article aimed to identify the agricultural-related shocks and constraints that independent smallholder irrigators in the Msinga local municipality faced and recommend several techniques to help tackle these challenges, improving their livelihoods. The 101 survey participants were selected using snowball sampling, while the four participants in the Focus Group Discussion were purposively selected. The findings suggest that the primary issues facing Msinga irrigators were drought, inadequate access to production inputs and the infestation of pests and diseases. As a result, crop failure affecting nine out of ten irrigators was unavoidable among these smallholders. If smallholder farmers can access comprehensive agricultural support services, they may be able to tackle these issues and boost farm production and market participation. Creating an enabling environment to improve irrigation water access can help mitigate drought difficulties. Including independent irrigators in the government’s existing extension support services could provide irrigators with assistance from agricultural advisors who are knowledgeable in pest and disease awareness and control.

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