ABSTRACT This paper explores the factors influencing aspirations of smallholders to expand irrigation farming activities. It demonstrates the importance of aspirations to informing agricultural policies and understanding the behaviour of farmers and their vision regarding their farms. The Heckman two-step regression model was used to determine factors affecting aspirations/willingness of farmers to expand in the first stage and their ability to achieve or realise those aspirations in the second stage. The paper identifies five key factors that influence farmer aspirations (willingness to expand), i.e., positive psychological capital, access to markets, access to credit, land tenure security, and membership in other social groups. Gender, asset ownership, access to markets and local resource use conflicts were significant in determining farmers’ ability to achieve those aspirations. The study reveals the importance of developing positive psychological capital among smallholders and affirms the need for affordable production credit. To better make use of irrigation schemes, there is a need to build the capacity of smallholders to achieve their aspirations through empowering women and improving access to physical assets and markets. Land tenure security concerns need addressing while supporting institutions that promote social interaction and learning remain vital for the growth of the smallholder irrigation sector.

中文翻译：

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解释南非夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省 Makhathini 和 Ndumo-B 地区小农扩大灌溉作物生产的愿望

摘要 本文探讨了影响小农扩大灌溉农业活动愿望的因素。它展示了为农业政策提供信息和了解农民的行为及其对农场愿景的愿望的重要性。Heckman 两步回归模型用于确定影响农民在第一阶段扩张愿望/意愿的因素以及他们在第二阶段实现或实现这些愿望的能力。该论文确定了影响农民愿望（扩张意愿）的五个关键因素，即积极的心理资本、市场准入、信贷准入、土地保有权保障和其他社会群体的成员资格。性别、资产所有权、市场准入和当地资源使用冲突在决定农民实现这些愿望的能力方面具有重要意义。该研究揭示了在小农中发展积极心理资本的重要性，并肯定了负担得起的生产信贷的必要性。为了更好地利用灌溉计划，需要通过赋予妇女权力和改善获得有形资产和市场的机会来建设小农实现愿望的能力。需要解决土地保有权安全问题，同时支持促进社会互动和学习的机构对于小农灌溉部门的发展仍然至关重要。为了更好地利用灌溉计划，需要通过赋予妇女权力和改善获得有形资产和市场的机会来建设小农实现愿望的能力。需要解决土地保有权安全问题，同时支持促进社会互动和学习的机构对于小农灌溉部门的发展仍然至关重要。为了更好地利用灌溉计划，需要通过赋予妇女权力和改善获得有形资产和市场的机会来建设小农实现愿望的能力。需要解决土地保有权安全问题，同时支持促进社会互动和学习的机构对于小农灌溉部门的发展仍然至关重要。