Farmers’ knowledge in the cropping systems of Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Current challenges and solution for sustainable future food production

Abstract

Most African farmers involved in food production in South Africa; practice peasant farming for 
consumption and for retail sale in the informal market, local communities and street corners in the 
cities. These farmers are mainly constrained by different factors which include; lack of basic farm 
inputs like machineries and fertilizers. They also have limited knowledge of the standard methods of 
production required to satisfy the genetic requirement of improved seeds that are available in agric 
shops; and have insufficient access to arable lands. Due to the fact that they are resource poor formers, 
they lack enough financial input and support from rural extension agencies, with a resultant low yield 
response. Although, peasant farmers in northern KwaZulu-Natal of South Africa seem to have common 
challenges in their farming regime, their knowledge within each cluster varies tremendously. Observed 
variation in farmers’ activities has been reported to affect yield on farmers’ fields and farmers’ 
knowledge plays an important role in the overall production systems of the communities. This paper 
highlights the challenges of peasant farmers in a study conducted over a period of nine months on the 
maize-based farming system of Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa using a well structured 
questionnaire. The implication of the study on the future improvement of farming activities in the region 
is discussed. The result of this study outlined possible ways of improving the crop production systems 
of the people of the studied area and also opened new research initiatives to better partner with these 
farmers for improved food production.