The contribution of Peri-Urban livestock production on food security of farmers in the township of Botleng, Delmas, South Africa

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the food security status of peri-urban livestock farmers in the township of Botleng, Delmas, South Africa, and determine whether livestock production has contributed to food security of the households of the farmers in the area through assessing the food access of the households. The specific objectives were to determine: (i) the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of farmers in the township of Botleng, Delmas, South Africa, (ii) the food security status of farmers in the area, (iii) the contribution of peri-urban livestock farming on food accessibility of farmers in the area, and (iv) other contributions acquired through livestock production in the study area. The primary data was collected from households in the area; 108 farmers were randomly selected and interviewed. A cross sectional questionnaire was administered to the farmers. Demographic and socio-economic information was collected to understand livestock farmers in the area. The standard HFIAS questionnaire was used to determine their food security status. Thereafter, questions was administered to determine the contribution of livestock farming to their food security status. The last questions were used to determine how livestock production helps in other ways than food security. Descriptive and simple data analysis was performed and the results showed that the area only had black farmers, majority of which were elderly males. It was found that 86.1% was food secure and that 99.1% showed that livestock production contributed financially to the household. Furthermore, 99.07% indicated that the money they receive from sales was used to buy food, amongst other things. This showed that livestock production contributed to food security in the households of the farmers. The study recommends that livestock production be encouraged in more households, that farmers receive more training to capitalise on its potential, and that livestock production be encouraged more amongst women and youth, as the majority of practicing livestock owners were found to be retired, elderly males.