Ringetani Maltou¹, Yonas T. Bahta¹

¹Department of Agricultural Economics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Bahtay@ufs.ac.za/Yonas204@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Recurring drought is a major challenge to smaller holder livestock farmers. This study estimates agricultural drought resilience of smallholder livestock farms in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. This study utilized primary data collected from 207 smallholder livestock farmers and an agricultural drought resilience index (ADRI). The results revealed that only 9% of the smallholder livestock farms were resilient for agricultural drought, the rest of the farms were not resilient. It also found that the drought resilience indicator variables were positively correlated with production of livestock in dry and normal calendar years. The policy implications of these findings involve the government and key role players in the industry who should target needy smallholder farmers to build their resilience by enhancing their persistent, adaptability and transformation. Some of the assistance could mean supplying fodder, finance and other farm inputs.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Yonas T. Bahta is a Senior Researcher in the Department of Agricultural Economics, University of the Free State, South Africa