Sylvain Perret

Water policies and smallholding irrigation schemes in South Africa : A history and new institutional challenges

This paper describes the origin and history of smallholding irrigation schemes (SIS) in previously disadvantaged rural areas of South Africa. It then analyses the implications of the 1998 National Water Act on those schemes. An analysis of water rights is presented, along with a brief case study on a water rights transfer. A number of contradictions, uncertainties and possible threats are highlighted, which may hinder further development in SIS. Most difficulties originate from the Acts lacks of clarity regarding water rights and from the objectives and socio-economic prospects of the schemes.

Diversity in Livelihoods and Farmers' Strategies in the Hararghe Highlands, Eastern Ethiopia

This article presents the results of rural livelihood analysis in the eastern Ethiopian highlands based on survey data obtained from 197 households. Typology of households was systematically developed. Then the research looked into livelihood strategies pursued by different categories of households, and assessed livelihood outcomes in terms of food security status. The research is guided by the framework for sustainable rural livelihood analysis. Descriptive statistics, multivariate discriminant analysis and regression with limited dependent variable, logit model, were used for data analysis. The finding shows that livelihood behaviour is diverse among different households and across sites in the study area and thus, the extent and nature of food insecurity. This finding challenges the current untargeted and uniform interventions for rural development in the highlands amidst diversity in livelihood assets endowment and heterogeneous livelihood strategies. Future interventions to support sustainable rural livelihoods must take into account diversity in endowment of livelihood resources and differences in livelihood strategies.

Market incentives, farmers' response and a policy dilemma: a case study of chat production in the Eastern Ethiopian Highlands

Abstract This paper discusses the reasons for and effects of the dramatic expansion of chat production as a cash crop in the Hararghe Highlands of Ethiopia. Despite the Ministry of Agricultures deliberate attempt to discourage chat production, farmers continue to shift their scarce resources into chat production. Using data generated by a rural livelihood survey from 197 randomly selected households, economic and non-economic factors contributing to the expansion of chat production are identified and its food and nutritional security impact analysed. The case study confirms once more the power of market incentives in encouraging agricultural activity of peasant farmers even in the absence of functional research and extension systems. The case study shows that households producing chat have good food security status and thus the situation presents a policy dilemma: Should the government promote or discourage chat production?

CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SMALL- HOLDER SUGARCANE GROWERS AND MILLERS IN THE SUGAR INDUSTRY SUPPLY CHAIN IN SWAZILAND

Abstract This paper proposes and analyses a model of relationships between smallholder sugarcane growers and millers in the Swaziland sugar industry supply chain. In particular, it identifies the behavioural factors that contribute to the level of satisfaction that sugarcane growers perceive in their relationship with the millers. Using recursive models and multiple regression analysis, the results indicate that higher levels of trust lead to higher levels of cooperation that, in turn, lead to higher levels of commitment by the smallholder growers to the business relationship. Cooperation is also an antecedent of the benefits and of the satisfaction that these growers gained from the relationship. These results agree with a priori theory that trust, cooperation, strategic benefits, commitment and absence of opportunistic behaviour are essential elements for a successful relational exchange. The findings imply that both cane growers and millers need to focus on initiating, signalling and disclosing their behaviours in an effort to improve their relationship with each other. A relationship founded on trust and mutual respect is more likely to succeed than a relationship of convenience supported by legal contingencies. Therefore, relationships characterised by trust and physical and psychological commitment as well as cooperation between exchange parties is more important for mutual benefit and good quality relationship.