Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role water resources management can play in improving subsistence farming in rural South Africa, as well as reducing poverty. The study followed a mixed research approach where attributes of qualitative and quantitative methods were used. This paper indicates that due to water scarcity experienced amongst subsistence farmers in case study area, several farmers have opted out of farming. This has a negative consequence on food security and poverty among many subsistence farmers. The paper suggests the pathways for sustainable subsistence farming aimed at creating an economically viable rural community while addressing poverty through the implementation of an efficient water resources management practice. As highlighted in this paper, development is a gradual process, and water resources management can possibly be the first step in creating an economically viable community while alleviating poverty among subsistence farmers in water scarce rural areas of South Africa. Revamping the subsistence farming, as well as improving the standard of living amongst rural subsistence farmers requires a purposeful co-ordination and exchange of ideas between experienced agricultural extension workers, researchers in the field of context, policy makers, as well as other stakeholders. Such purposeful co-ordination should have an agenda of transforming the subsistence farming to a commercialized form of farming in the long term. The resultant effect will possibly result in an economically viable community; increase in household income, as well as food security, thereby reducing poverty. Keywords: subsistence farming, rural development, water resource management, economic viability, poverty eradication, agricultural extension. JEL Classification: Q12, N5
Highlights
South Africa’s rural areas are amongst the poorest in the world, as there is still a wide gap in terms of development with their urban neighbors (Koch, 1993, p. 28; Government Communication and Information System, 2013, pp. 2-4; Department of Rural Development, 2013, p. 13)
An estimated 6.4 million South Africans fell below the national poverty line in 2010 (Schwabe, 2010, p. 58), most of whom reside in rural areas
The majority of the rural dwellers in South Africa rely on subsistence farming, while others depend on government grants or family members living and working in urban areas to sustain a living
Summary
The majority of the rural dwellers in South Africa rely on subsistence farming, while others depend on government grants or family members living and working in urban areas to sustain a living. This income received is often insufficient to cater for their daily needs; this resulted in a high percentage of rural community members of South Africa living below the poverty line Subsistence farming is defined as “the production of sufficient food and fibre to satisfy the needs of the farming family” It was a common practice in the past, where large number of farmers produced only what they required. They identified the production of sufficient food to feed the household as the primary objective of subsistence farming, while earning some cash income and accumulation of savings were secondary
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