The study conducted in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa using a range of methods, identifi ed various ways in which the livelihoods of farmers on smallholder irrigation schemes could be improved. It was found that canal schemes were more likely to be operational and last longer than pump schemes. Commercialisation of agriculture on smallholder schemes was encouraged by proximity to urban centres. Several factors, including irrigation scheduling, cultivar choice, planting date, and plant spacing, which affected green maize production, one of the main cash crops of smallholders in the study area, were optimised for local conditions. Institutional and organisational constraints affecting land tenure security and routine maintenance of the water distribution infrastructure were identifi ed and described.
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