Farmers Perspectives towards the Rehabilitation of the Irrigation Schemes in Sekhukhune District of the Limpopo Province, South Africa

The revitalisation of small-holder irrigation schemesprogram (RESIS) is one of the major irrigation programs introduced by the government of South Africa to support small-holder farmers. However, contrary to expectations, most of the government supported irrigation schemes have failed to meet the expectations of both the government and farmers. The aim of the present study is to determine the perceived reasons for the failure of the irrigation schemes. The study also seek to determine the association between socio-economic characteristic of farmers and the perceived reasons for the failure of the irrigation schemes. Multinomial regression analysis was applied to analyse the factors influencingfarmers perspectives towards the Rehabilitation of the Irrigation Schemes in Sekhukhune District of the Limpopo Province, South Africa.The results of the study reviewed that economic, competition and socio-cultural factors were perceived as having a large influence on the success of the schemes.The findings recommended socio-economic characteristics to be considered when planning developmental projects directed to small-holder farmers.