Integration of environmental planning into communal grazing systems in the Free State

Abstract

This study evaluated the integration of environmental planning into communal grazing systems in the Free State. The study focused particularly on communal grazing systems in Qwaqwa, Thaba-Nchu and Botshabelo, as well as certain areas in the Free State where communal grazing systems are run by small-scale farmers. Currently the Free State province is divided into 5 district areas and 20 local municipal areas, which include 78 towns. There are communal grazing areas near each town, assigned specifically for livestock production in the province. To date, few formal assessments of the condition of these lands have been made. ~tratified random sampling was employed throughout the survey to select the respondents. Questionnaires were completed with 70 furmers. In this study the needs and aspirations of the farmers are related to the integration of environmental planning into communal grazing systems in the Free State, as :-veil as security of tenure, working capital, knowledge, adequate extension services, training and water supply, timely veld fires, and co-operation amongst farmers. The needs and aspirations oflivestock owners in the communal rangelands of the Free State are constrained by small farm size, population pressure, land tenure problems, distance from markets, poor transport and infrastructure. Facilities such as marketing, processing and quality control are not promoted on communal grazing areas. In the Free State the basic entitlement of every rural household to three types of land ownership or use, has acted as an essential safety net for the poor and a valuable resource for the more entrepreneuria1. The three types of land ownership are residential land for building purposes, fields for crop production and access to commonage land for grazing purposes. It was found that sustainable grazing management is not based on grazing potential and stocking rates. The formalisation of grazing rights and increased responsibility for communal grazing management are still absent or lacking in most communal grazing areas. In most communal grazing areas livestock numbers exceed the grazing capacity. Selection and breeding on communal grazing areas affect the herd quality. The nutrition status of livestock is not improved, due to lack of access to feed resources and supplementary feeding. Better animal health due to improved disease prevention and animal health care services, is still lacking in most communal grazing areas. The training oflivestock owners in communal grazing areas regarding grazing management is crucial. Cattle owners and communal grazing committees are not participating adequately in the planning and decision-making regarding livestock development on communal land. The roles and effectiveness of existing institutions is crucial with regard to communal grazing areas and the formulation and implementation oflivestock management policy. In this study, it was recognised that cattle farmers on communal grazing areas are involved in farming, but mostly for their own domestic consumption, and that they are relatively dependent on agriculture and the exploitation of natural resources. However, the communal grazing areas are inadequately managed with a view to sustainable development and production. There are major resource management problems on communal grazing areas, which is widely acknowledged by cattle farmers, but in varying degrees. These problems can be overcome by following a multi-sectoral and interdisciplinary approach, while aspects such as investment, education and training and the adoption of more appropriate technologies should also receive attention. Although policies on natural resource management are currently in place, they are still fragmented among the different sectors, with little integration or co-ordination at ground level. Environmental protection is not incorporated as an integral part oflivestock production in communal areas. The study found that the integration of environmental planning into communal grazing systems in the Free State is essential for obtaining the best cattle performance and optimal use of land resources.