Impact of Synergestic Approach on Rural Livelihoods: A Case Study of Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme

In South Africa, smallholder irrigation schemes were developed to improve rural livelihoods through sustainable food production for food security and poverty alleviation. However, the high cost of running an irrigation scheme results in low productivity. Access to finance and production inputs are some of the challenges that dominate the small-scale farming sector in South Africa. Public Private Partnerships (PPP) are among some of the alternatives that could be utilised to assist small-scale farmers. An informal partnership was initiated between the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR), Rance Rural Development (RRD), and the farmers of Sidalukukhanya Agriculture Co-op (SAC) for pepper production at the Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme (ZIS). This study seeks to evaluate the impact of this partnership on the rural livelihood and socioeconomic status of the farming community at ZIS. A questionnaire was administered to the members of SAC for data collection. Results showed that this PPP significantly improved the livelihood and socioeconomic status of SAC members farming at the Zanyokwe Irrigations Scheme. Through this partnership, approximately 13% of jobs are created in the field for the co-op members, while 6% are permanently employed in the processing factory. Similarly, 56% of seasonal employment intake occurred during planting and harvestings in the cropping fields at Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme in Keiskammahoek. A further 25% of seasonal jobs were created through the processing of produce at the agro-processing factory in Stutterheim. The results of the study indicated that partnership played a pivotal role in creating both permanent and seasonal jobs. Through this partnership, employment opportunities for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled labour in the rural communities of Amahlathi Local Municipality have been realised. Moreover, farmers participating in the partnership were capacitated with various skills such as management, record keeping, financial, and technical skills to improve their socioeconomic status. Most farmers increased their business by 20% and production skills by 80%. Therefore, this partnership has shown the potential to improve the livelihood and socioeconomic Status of Zanyokwe farmers. Partnerships of this nature are recommended to expand to other irrigation schemes in the province to ensure food security and improve rural livelihoods throughout the Eastern Cape province.