Abstract

This paper aimed to investigate the determinants of

water security in an irrigation scheme, and how this water

security level subsequently affects the farmer’s household

food security level. Water security refers to access by the

irrigating households to sufficient and reliable water to meet

the agricultural needs and their ability to assert the water rights

against other parties. A random sample of 185 irrigating

households was interviewed in Tugela Ferry Irrigation

Scheme in Mzinyathi District, South Africa. Data were

analysed using principal component analysis and ordinary

least squares. The empirical results indicated that factors such

as farmer’s age, off-farm income, farmer association membership,

use of pumps, location on the upper-end of the canal and

training increase householdwater security. Conversely, factors

such as occurrence of conflicts and location at the tail-end of

the canal were found to decrease household water security.

This study highlights the importance of strengthening farmer

organisational capacity and local institutions for enhancing the

water security status of farmers in smallholder irrigation

schemes. The results also indicated that perceived water security

has a positive impact on household food consumption per

adult equivalent. Therefore, for better impact on household

food security, the study recommends that priority should be

placed in ensuring household water security, not just investing

in the physical irrigation scheme and irrigation participation.

The human and social dimensions need to receive priority.

Training farmers in collective water governance and water

conservation techniques to improve water-use efficiency as

well as introducing motorised pumps would take irrigators a

long way in enhancing their water security.