Towards describing small scale agriculture: an analysis of diversity and the impact thereof on extension services: the case of the Leliefontein area (Northern Cape, South Africa)

Abstract

This article reports on a study which was undertaken in one of the historically “coloured reserves” of the Northern Cape Province called Leliefontein. The overall objective of the study was to compile an understanding about the diversity in farming households. Typology analysis was applied on a sample of 108 households. The findings of the study show that there exists substantial diversity among the households in this predominantly farming community. The knowledge of this diversity might be of importance for extension service. There are seven types of households reflecting this diversity namely, Autonomous Households; Livestock Holders; Irregular Income Earners; the Poorest; Regular Income Earners and Social Transfer Dependent types. These findings are then applied to assist with the design of extension services.

Keywords: Small-scale agriculture, extension services, farming households, diversity, impact

South African Journal of Agricultural Extension Vol. 34(2) 2005: 303-317