The Impact of Soil Erosion as a Food Security and Rural Livelihoods Risk in South Africa

Ikponmwosa David Ighodaro,Francois S Lategan,Wiseman Mupindu

doi:10.5539/jas.v8n8p1

Abstract

<p>This study evaluates soil erosion/attrition as a major food security and rural livelihoods risk in South Africa, with the Upper and Lower Areas of Didimana, Eastern Cape Province, as a case study. The survey research method was adopted for the study. Farmers and extension officers’ behaviours relating to soil erosion control was negative even though the impact of erosion in the area was high. Approximately 75% of farmers indicated that they lose more than 21% of their crops yearly due to erosion and 55% said their crops and livestock, as well as their household feeding, suffer due to the problem. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis indicate that farm yield and farmers’ access to market are positively related to farmers’ adoption tendencies regarding erosion control, implying that farmers are more willing to adopt recommendations if their yields and access to market can increase. Similarly, age of farmers is positively related with erosion impact, indicating that older people have a higher tendency to cause erosion in the study area. This is true, as the area consists more of older people, who are generally known to resist change, thus low in adoption. Therefore, it is perceived that if farmers manage soil erosion appropriately, they will achieve higher yields. More so, pull factors like improved rural infrastructures and adequate agricultural incentives for youths are suggested to lure more youth in taking into farming in the study area.</p>

Highlights

Soil erosion/attrition (Note 1) is one of the main themes in environmental studies, an unresolved question is whether its relevance is accorded due place in agriculture and related studies
It aims at providing answers to the following objectives: 1) To assess farmers’ adoption behaviour in respect to the use of erosion control methods in the study area; 2) To assess agricultural extension officers’ behaviour with respect to the use of erosion control methods in the study area; and
Soil erosion is a major farming problem in any society, especially for the fact that food, which is grown on the soil, is the greatest human need

Summary

Introduction

Soil erosion/attrition (Note 1) is one of the main themes in environmental studies, an unresolved question is whether its relevance is accorded due place in agriculture and related studies. The Eastern Cape Province, where this study consists, is rated as one of the three most degraded and poorest provinces in South Africa (Department of Environmental Affairs, Republic of South Africa [RSA], 2007; Bank, Minkley, & Kamman, 2010) A study such as this in the area is very relevant, seeking amongst other things, to demonstrate that soil erosion is a major food security and rural livelihoods risk in South Africa, using the Upper and Lower Areas of Didimana in the Eastern Cape as a case study. The area of study consists of Upper Didimana, Lower Didimana and Romanslaagte villages, respectively, located in Ward three of the Tsolwana Local Municipality in the Chris Hani District Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Livestock farming is said to be an important source of income for people

Methods

Results

Conclusion