Economic modelling and simulation analysis of maize-based smallholder farming systems in the Senqu River Valley agroecological zone, Lesotho

Abstract

Maize yields in the Senqu River Valley are among the lowest in Lesotho. This study aimed to compare the farm economic margins (FEM) of different maize-based smallholder farming systems (MSFSs) in the Senqu River Valley (SRV) and provide recommendations on farming systems that can be employed to improve the FEM for household income improvement. The Olympe software was used to model and simulate the FEM of the different MSFSs and SWOT–TOWS analysis was used to devise strategies to increase FEM and improve household income. The findings revealed that there was high FEM variability within and across the different MSFSs. The identified sources of variance were the cropping patterns, types of intercrops, and the number of animals raised. Poor crop and livestock management also played a role in the FEM variability, hence the poor performance of some MSFSs. The findings further indicated that MSFSs with high-value intercrops such as pumpkins had higher FEM than their monocropping counterparts. Then, again, MSFSs with both crops and livestock had the highest FEM. Therefore, identified strategies like crop diversification and livestock integration could be recommended for use by farmers, not only in this zone but also in other zones that share similar environmental conditions.

Keywords:

• MSFSs
• modelling and simulation
• farm economic margin
• smallholder farming systems
• SWOT-TOWS
• Lesotho

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Prince of Songkla University under the Prince of Songkla University President Scholarship and the Faculty of Natural Resources Research Grant. It is a part of a master’s degree thesis.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Prince of Songkla University President Scholarship and Faculty of Natural Resources, ;

Notes on contributors

Vichot Jongrungrot

Qhithiwe Anna Seko (Miss) A master’s degree student at the Prince of Songkla University, Faculty of Natural Resources, majoring in Agricultural Development. Her thesis research focuses mainly on the agricultural farming systems analysis.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Vichot Jongrungrot A lecturer at the Prince of Songkla University, Faculty of Natural Resources. He is a student advisor to both master’s and PhD students in the Agricultural Development program and Tropical Agricultural Resource Management, respectively. His research interests include farming systems analysis and policy and plan analysis.