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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. |
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