A linear regression model was used to assess the relationship between the adoption of organic farming practices and household food security. The adoption of organic farming practices may have improved the food security status of organic farming households in Richmond.
Introduction and background of the study
Experience, adequate extension support and training are some of the things that are critical in practicing organic farming (Scialabba, 2007). Organic farming appears to be the best model for emerging farmers (Kelly & Metelerkamp, 2015).
Significance of the study
Organic farming requires a deep understanding of farms (as whole systems) and farmers as capable experimenters and innovators with rich experience and knowledge (Von der Weid, 2007). Next, the contribution of organic agriculture to household food security needs to be examined.
Research objectives
Sub-problems
Study assumption
Study limits
Food availability was seen from a hunger perspective and not production of food from the gardens.
Structure or shape of the dissertation
Conclusion
Introduction
The wide range of benefits of organic farming have been widely publicized, including environmental benefits and improved production (INR, 2008). The ban on agrochemicals, such as pesticides and herbicides, in organic farming poses an additional risk to farm productivity (Jarvis et al., 2006), especially as they reduce reliance over time on chemicals to control pests and disease.
The concept of organic farming
9 Despite the positive characteristics of organic production, there is limited research to explain its role in agriculture, rural development and food security in the Southern African context (Modi, 2003). This literature review first provides an overview of organic farming, outlines the food security situation in South Africa, and KwaZulu-Natal in particular, and collectively shows connections between training, organic agriculture and food security.
Principles of organic farming
10 Health: Organic farming should maintain and improve the health of soil, plants, animals, people and the planet as one and indivisible. The role of organic farming is to maintain and improve the health of ecosystems and organisms.
Organic agriculture by regions
- Organic farming in Oceania
- Organic farming in Europe
- Organic farming in Latin America
- Organic farming in Asia
- Organic farming in Africa
- Organic farming in South Africa
Latin America had the third largest area under organic farming in 2015 (6.7 million hectares), the region with the largest area was Oceania (22.8 million hectares), followed by Europe with 12.7 million hectares (Willer & Lernoud, 2016 ). The indigenous farming systems used in the past in South Africa are similar to the organic farming system.
Factors affecting adoption of organic farming by smallholder farmers
Thousands of subsistence farmers have followed organic farming methods in South Africa, although they are not certified as such. While all land is suitable for organic farming; the land used by rural communities in predominantly traditional authority areas is mostly suitable for this type of agriculture because the resources are available, such as grass for cover and livestock manure, and the areas are usually remote from pollution-generating environments such as producers.
Advantages of adopting organic farming for smallholder farmers
Niemeyer and Lombard (2003) found that farmers not only benefit from reduced expenditures on agricultural chemicals, but they are also motivated by the environmental sustainability and improved soil fertility associated with organic farming. Evidence shows that organic farming can increase yields by up to 180% for subsistence systems and that organic farming is a viable alternative farming system for smallholder farmers (Scialabba & Lindenlauf, 2010).
Challenges of adopting organic farming for smallholder farmers
The reported initial decline in production during conversion from conventional to organic farming is another challenge experienced by smallholder farmers. In general, most small farmers face fewer challenges related to conversion because their farming methods are in many ways comparable to organic farming (Matelerkamp, 2015).
Food security situation in South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal
The lack of information and technical skills among small farmers is the reason for the decrease in the yield that farmers have; the main reason for the lower yield is pests and diseases. Despite the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, more diversions have been observed among smallholder farmers compared to commercial farmers (Niemeyer & Lombard, 2003).
Organic agriculture, environment and food security
19 be more vulnerable to food price inflation, because a greater proportion of their expenditure goes to food. 2009) state that there is little certainty about what is known about household food security in South Africa. As much as it was a general opinion that a large proportion of households in South Africa are food insecure, a precise baseline estimate of actual household food insecurity is lacking (Altman et al., 2009).
Organic agricultural training offered in South African and KwaZulu-Natal for
Organic agricultural training as an intervention for food security
These are some of the reasons why extension services have been characterized as unproductive and irrelevant to farmers' needs. 23 South Africa; a number of weaknesses were identified in the system, leading to the establishment of an Extension Recovery Plan (ERP) (DAFF, 2012).
Dovehouse Organics farmer training
- Bed preparation
- Water catchment and storage
- Companion planting
- Compost making
- Pests, diseases and weed management
Worm manure is compost of the highest quality and contains minerals and organic material in soluble form. Crop rotation is one of the methods used in the control of pests, diseases and weeds.
The research field
The unemployment rate in Richmond is 26%, with agriculture being the backbone of the area's economy. Agriculture not only uses a large proportion of the municipal area, but is also a source of employment for many residents of the area. The majority of the population depends on social assistance and pensions received from the state.
Research methodology
- Sample selection: Population and respondents
- Gaining entry to the community
- Piloting and or pretesting the tool(s)
- Research design
- Data analysis and treatment
- Validity and reliability 32
29 levels of farm households?” This meeting was also to plan visits to the community. A survey was conducted among 100 farm households to determine the impact of adopting organic farming training practices on the food security of the farm households. The use of a quantitative method provides an insight into the impact of the adoption of training practices in organic farming on the food security situation of household farmers.
Characteristics of sampled households
Farmer’s age, education level and size of sampled farming households
The study aimed to investigate whether participation in the DVO farming training affected the food security status of trained farmers, with a specific focus on food availability and accessibility. A Household Hunger Scale (HHS) (Ballard et al., 2011) was used to compare the food security situation of farmers who attended training at DVO and those who did not attend training at DVO. What are the food production practices, land tenure system and knowledge of organic farming at homestead level.
Gender and occupation of farming households
35 participants had agriculture as their profession compared to two housewives (13%) from those who did not participate in the training.
Income and expenditure of farming households
Households in Richmond do not reflect the general context of South African families, with a family of six spending a maximum of R833 per month on food, about R139 per person.
Food production at homestead level and land ownership
Types of crops grown
38 Of the 27 types of crops in the study area, cabbage was the most popular crop as it was grown by approximately 70% of households. This was followed by spinach and maize, which were grown by 65% and 61% of the households surveyed respectively (Figure 5.1). More than half of the households also indicate that they produce beans, pumpkin, beetroot and amadumbe.
Land tenure system
While more than 40% of households cultivated crops such as potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, carrots and onions, very few households cultivated crops such as parsley, avocado and peas (Figure 4.1). Sweet potatoes were produced by 32% of farmers; sweet potatoes are a good source of carbohydrates and vitamin A. The nutritional benefits of sweet potatoes can contribute to food quality and improved nutritional status.
Farmers’ understanding of organic farming
Farmers were generally interested in knowing more about organic farming; the main concern they had was in terms of pest and disease control. This is evident in the fact that most farmers referred to organic farming as a farming method that protects the environment; this is in line with a general understanding of organic farming. This is consistent with a popular interpretation of organic farming, which associates organic farming with low external input and use of available resources.
Organic farming practices and adoption by farmers
Technology adoption and reasons for adoption
This was followed by 21% of farmers who reported that their participation in bed preparation was aimed at better pest control. In general, organic farming practices have been largely adopted to improve production, improve yield and for better pest control. The results found that very few farmers indicated that organic farming practices were adopted for diversification of income sources and for better market sources.
Food security status of the trained and non-trained farmers and relationships between
The findings illustrate that there was a positive relationship between each of the organic farming practices (bed preparation, composting, water harvesting, crop rotation, companion planting, mulching, pruning, harvesting and composting) and status of food safety as shown in Table 4.8 above. This study aims to investigate whether the adoption of organic farming practices contributes to household food security for rural farming households in Richmond. To investigate the importance of organic farming training on the food security status of Richmond households.
Providing extension services for organic farming can help reduce some of the challenges organic farmers face. Household food security data were collected at a time when farmers had already adopted organic farming practices.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusions
Policy implications and recommendations
For this to happen effectively, it is recommended that the government and NGOs initiate and facilitate capacity building programs, especially around organic farming. This will ensure that farming households have access to the necessary skills for greater efficiency in the adoption of organic farming practices. South African extension workers do not receive organic farming training in their regular education and therefore find it difficult to support organic farmers.
Recommendations for improvement of the study
Therefore, the government should finalize the national policy on organic agricultural production and also develop a policy implementation strategy with clear plans to train farmers and support farmers involved in organic farming. When the farmer transitions from conventional to organic farming, there is a need for appropriate agricultural extension and nutritional advice or programs, championed by government and NGOs, to support the accumulation of knowledge and experience that optimize organic food production. 53 have incorporated FGDs to gain an in-depth qualitative understanding of the organic farming practices used by households and their benefits for food security.
Recommendations for further research
In the past four weeks, have you worried that your family would not have enough food? In the past four weeks, you or a family member had to eat a limited variety of foods because of a lack of resources. In the past four weeks, have you or a family member had to eat certain foods?
In the past four weeks, have you or a member of the household had to eat fewer meals in one day because there was not enough food. In the last four weeks, did you or a member of the household go to sleep hungry at night because there was not enough food.
