It’s critical to ensure that smallholder farming groups are run democratically. Flickr/Solidarity
Center
fertiliser use and poverty reduction suggests
that these groups have some positive aspects
and the model should continue.
We found that the information and cost
sharing, as well as the bulk-buying power
associated with such groups, can drive an
increase in the use of modern technologies
like inorganic fertilisers. That results in better
crop yields and incomes.
Benefits
We compared fertiliser use between group
members and farmers who weren’t in groups
across four districts in the KwaZulu-Natal
province. Group members were more likely to
use fertilisers and so produced better crops.
We also found that group members tended
to earn higher incomes than those who didn’t
belong to groups.
But the benefits of group membership did not
equally accrue to all members. Socio-economic
characteristics played a role. For example,
wealthier farmers – presumably because
of their social standing and influence in the
groups – saw more benefits. Interestingly,
AgriKultuur |AgriCulture
we found that farmers without an education
benefited more from groups than those who
were educated. Given that most smallholders
have modest education levels, the sharing of
information, presumably in local languages,
allows members to clarify the nature and
benefits of the technologies to each other.
Our findings suggest that access to relevant
information is key in motivating smallholders
to improve their usual farming practices.
Smallholder farming methods are largely
rudimentary, learned through trial and error.
Farming can be enhanced by adopting and
adapting modern practices like using chemical
fertilisers and hybrid seeds.
Autonomy is key
One concern was that richer members
benefited more in groups than their poorer
peers. This suggested that farmer groups, like
many interventions in rural areas, can easily
be captured by elites at the expense of the
poor and disadvantaged.
Work is needed to reduce internal disputes
among groups that could render them
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