Jikwana, Kholekile2026-09-092026-09-092024Jikwana, K. (2024) Water scarcity and small-scale maize farming at the rural household level: A case study of Matatiele Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Master of Philosophy in Environmental Studies mini dissertation. Alice, South Africa: University of Fort Hare.http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11837/5101Mini dissertationThe impact of water scarcity on maize production and other agricultural products at the rural household level can affect food security as many small-scale farmers depend mostly on their farm produce for sustenance. Unpredictable changes in rainfall are known to impact the water supply for irrigation purposes. Moreover, Matatiele, the area under investigation is prone to periods of droughts and floods. The researcher investigated the effects of water scarcity on small-scale maize farming at the rural household level in the Matatiele area. The research objectives were to: 1) Describe and discuss the average monthly rainfall in the Matatiele area between 1993 and 2022. 2) To determine the rural household’s food security status. 3) To determine the effect of water scarcity on rural small-scale crop farming and 4) to identify coping mechanisms on how to deal with water scarcity and food insecurity. A quantitative descriptive survey was employed to elicit information from participants. The rainfall pattern information was obtained from South African Weather Services, interpreted and described. A non-probable sampling technique was used to interview 140 household heads, using a structured questionnaire. The results demonstrated that the rainfall patterns in the Matatiele area vary from year-to-year. The lowest rainfall precipitation between 1993 and 2022 was 470.7 mm in 2015, and the highest was 1135 millimetres in 2022. The small-scale farmers experience moderate food security, as 67.9% of the participants stated that they never had to skip a meal, 70% never had to ration the size of meals, and 77.1% never went without food for a whole day. Most (82.9%) of the participants in this study reported that water access and water scarcity are their most considerable constraints when it comes to farming maize and other agricultural produce. They do not have access to municipal water, so most use private water sources such as boreholes. Only 18.6% use communal water sources, and only 5.7% use government-provided water sources. The variability impacts small-scale farmers, as they need long-term coping strategies to cope with the year-on-year variability yearly in rainfall patterns. They rely on shortterm strategies such as borrowing food from neighbours during hard times. Water scarcity is a reality and impacts small-scale farming at the rural household level negatively, which leads to food insecurity. A needs assessment is recommended to determine how the local government can assist small-scale farmers in dealing with the erratic rainfall pattern, which displays periods of droughts and floods. Long-term strategies are recommended, such as implementing water tanks and building dams and irrigation systems, to support small-scale farmers during periods of food insecurity.enSmall-scale farmingmaize farmingwater scarcitySouth AfricaThesis