Crop production practices at Folovhodwe, Rambuda, and Tshipise smallholder irrigation schemes at Mutale local municipality in Limpopo province of South Africa

The purpose of this study was to investigate crop production practices used by plot holders in Folovhodwe, Rambuda and Tshipise Irrigation Scheme at Mutale Local Municipality in Limpopo Province of South Africa. The results show that production practices used include those that promote increasing crop yield and natural resource sustainability and those that produce poor quality products that do not meet market requirements. Practices with prospects of promoting yields and natural resource sustainability were: (1) fertilizer application by majority (94.5% for Folovhodwe, 91.4% for Rambuda, and 100% for Tshipise) of plot holders, (2) some application of manure (27.8% at Folovhodwe, 43.3% at Rambuda and 76.7% at Tshipise), (3) use of crop rotation by majority of plot holders at Rambuda (70.2%) and Tshipise (53.3%), (4) control of weeds (using hand hoes) and insect pests (using pesticides), and (5) incorporation of crop residues into the soil (36.1% respondents at Folovhodwe, 62.2% at Rambuda, and 33.3% at Tshipise) contributing to soil fertility improvement. To the contrary, practices with prospects of reducing yields and natural resource sustainability were: (1) too low fertilizer application rate of 5 x 10kg =50kg (68.9% respondents at Rambuda, 100% each at the other two schemes), (2) lack of use of soil conservation practices by majority of plot holders (63% at Folovhodwe, 98.5% at Rambuda, and 53.3% at Tshipise), (3) only a few plot holders practicing fallowing (26.4% at Folovhodwe and 40.3% at Rambuda), and (4) burning of crop residues by some plot holders (37.5% at Folovhodwe, 11% at Rambuda, and 25.7% at Tshipise). In conclusion, Practices with prospects of promoting yields and natural resource sustainability should be promoted.