| dc.description.abstract | The main objective of the study was to analyse the determinants of collective action
among farmers in Dzindi communal irrigation scheme, Limpopo Province, South
Africa. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic profiles, assess
livelihood strategies pursued, determine participation in collective action activities,
analyse the determinants of participation in collective action activities, examine
perceptions of the effect of collective action on livelihood capital, ascertain
knowledge about collective action processes and determine the dimensions of
collectivism and individualism among farmers involved in the irrigation scheme.
The study was conducted in Dzindi irrigation scheme. The population of this study
included all 106 plot holders in Dzindi, smallholder irrigation scheme. Simple
random sampling techniques were used to select 97 plot holders. Data for this study
was generated from primary source based on the objective of the study. A
structured questionnaire consisting of five sections namely, personal characteristics
and socio-economic factors of irrigators, offences and conflict resolution in sharing
irrigation water in the irrigation scheme, collective action activities, scale on
individualism vs collectivism, livelihood strategies among the irrigators, perception of
the effect of collective action on livelihood capital and irrigators' knowledge of
collective action processes. The questionnaire was face validated by a panel of
experts on agricultural extension, collective action and research and a split half
technique was used to determine the reliability coefficient. Data was analysed using
the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 18. 0. Standard deviation, mean
and frequency distribution were used to · describe the personal characteristics;
multiple regression analysis was used to determine the effect of predictors on the
dependent variables of the study.
The results revealed that majority of the farmers were male, more than 50 years,
having at least 20 years of farming experience, and being Christians, having
ownership of plots with large household sizes with more female per household than
male. Maize, lentils and Kale are the most prominent crops on the irrigation
scheme. Majority of the farmers were allocated land on the irrigation scheme on first
come, first served basis, used flood irrigation systems, practised double, multiple,
and multiple cropping system and had contact with extension officers. The
prominent sources of information were television, radio, and extension officers.
There is generally a low participation in social organisations listed by farmers. Most
common offences and conflict resolution techniques were: caught breaking irrigation
rules, apologise immediately when found caught committing an offence, use more
days to irrigate and use more irrigation water. The results revealed that only three
out of a list of 25 collective action activities were commonly practised. These were
replacement of damaged concrete slabs, Weed control in joints and participation in
meetings.
The results show that from the list of 44 statements on the individualism scale, 35
statements were above the actual mean score of 3.0. Conversely, 21 of the 35 listed
statements on collectivism were above the actual mean of 3. 0 which depicts a high
tendency towards collective actions. Overall, the tendency among irrigators for
individualism is higher than collectivism on the irrigation scheme. The results on the
perception of the effect of collective action on livelihood capital among irrigators in
the Dzindi scheme revealed an overwhelming general negative attitude by farmers
towards the effect of collective action on livelihood capital. The results revealed an
overwhelming general negative behaviour by farmers towards collective action
The results further revealed ah overwhelming high knowledge by farmers on
collective action processes. Significant determinants of participation in collective
action processes were perceived effect on natural capital
( t = 3. 36, p < 0. 05),
Perceived effect on social capital ( t = 2.33, p < 0.05), Perceived usefulness of
collective action ( t = 2.40, p < 0.05), perceived ease of use of,collective action ( t =
2.07, p < 0.05), knowledge of collective action ( t = 1.96, p < 0.05), age ( t = -3.99,
p < 0.05), farming experience ( t = 2.08, p < 0.05), educational/eve/ ( t = 2.06, p <
0.05), religious belief ( t = 3.45, p < 0.05), land ownership ( t = 1.81, p < 0.10) and
distance to market ( t = 3.83, p < 0.05).
Based on the findings of this study, it is
recommended that there is a need to improve on the mechanisms that will reduce
the tendency among irrigators for individualism which was higher than collectivism;
perception of the effect of collective action on livelihood capital among irrigators in
the Dzindi scheme, mechanism to reduce the overwhelming general negative
behaviour by farmers towards collective action and to translate their high knowledge
on collective action processes into actions. | en_US |
