Overarching training needs on farm infrastructures and participation: a case study of irrigation scheme beneficiaries in Zanyokwe, Eastern Cape South Africa.

Abstract

The paper examined the role of smallholder irrigation scheme beneficiaries in training decision making and the relationship between farm characteristics and participation in training on the use of farm infrastructures. The study adopted purposive sampling techniques with a total of 44 male and 16 female farmers sampled from the population. The data collected were subjected to screening for analysis. In other to determine the statistical relationship between farm characteristics and participation in training, logistic regression analysis was used. Findings shows that there is a very strong relationship between the sizes of allocated plots to farmers in the irrigation scheme and participation in training. The result of the study revealed that Farm Experience (p-value =.001) and size of allocated plots (p-value = 0.002) has significant relationship to farmers’ participation in training. The study concluded that the training of farmers has the potentials of increasing the efficient use and maintenance of farm infrastructures for effective optimal production.