International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Manenzhe TD and Zwane ME

abstract
The key purpose of introducing smallholder irrigation schemes in the rural areas of South Africa was to increase food production, improve and sustain livelihoods of rural communities. The Saringwa Citrus Estate in Mpumalanga Province was chosen for the study. The main objective of the present study was to identify reasons for the collapse of irrigation schemes. The data was collected through interviews with farmers. The study reveals that irrigation scheme farms are collapsing due to various issues being; high transaction costs (100%), poor communication with key stakeholders (90%), poor-quality produce (80%), lack of title to land (75%), low farming skills (60%) and lack of business plans amongst youth participating in this farming sector. The collapse also contributes to poverty, food insecurity and unemployment due to lack of stable production and income realised from sales. Policies that promote revitalization of irrigation scheme farming that promote production of high-quality produce are recommended for combating the collapse of this farming sector.