Water use productivity and food security among smallholder homestead food gardening and irrigation crop farmers in North West province, South Africa

The study analysed water use productivity among smallholder homestead food gardening and irrigation crop farmers in the North West province, South Africa due to the fact that home gardening and irrigation constitute the most important rural development investment strategies that can have direct impact on poverty alleviation and food security. Using a large sample size technique of n >= 30, 160 gardeners were selected for the study. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and subjected to analysis using SPSS. Frequency counts and percentages were used to describe demographics. Multiple regressions were also used to identify determinants. Majority (68%) of the home gardeners have high water use productivity while 74% of those with high water use productivity are food secure. Five out of sixteen variables were significant, with three being significant at 5% (t = -2.443, p = .016), social participation (t = 2.599, p = .010), marketing outlets (t = 2.810, p = .006), while two variables were significant at 10% (home food security (t = -1.777, p = .078) and attitude (t = -1.727, p = .086). The study concludes with the need to incorporate the significant factors affecting water use productivity into food security policy agenda.