A study of the animal and crop production systems and potential of the Bantu Ciskeian Territories
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Date
1969-09
Authors
Brown, Deryk Lester
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
1. The aim of the study was to record the existing animal production
practices, and to describe the existing agricultural structure and the production
limitations as a basis of the assessment of the agro-potential of the Ciskei.
2. A survey of the twelve districts involved, was undertaken and as many
agricultural officials in these districts and at King William's Townhead-office,
were interviewed and consulted. All available literature and records were investigated.
3. Historical literature was consulted to provide the necessary background
to all possible phases of Xhosa and Fingo subsistence agriculture from the time
of the early Portuguese reports up until recent times. This information indicates
that numerous changes have been made in agricultural methods employed by the
Bantu, as well as in their customs, and these ar e practically all due to European
influences under a process of acculturation. A shifting-type of cultivation has
been in existence from the earliest times, until boundaries were determined
in the latter half of the nineteenth century.
4. A detailed description of the geographical areas is presented in the text,
the four zones totalling 1, 061,491 morgen, of which 4. 2 per cent is privately
owned by Bantu, the remainder being South African Bantu Trust property. Over
55 per cent of the area receives 25 inches (635 mm) of rain and over.
5. The human population totalling 404, 818 souls, is predominantly Xhosa
with a smaller proportion of Mfengu (Fingos). The possibility of a 35 per cent
under=estimate of the population exists. Arable land per capita of the rural
population is 0.352 morgen. Traditional and present day diets are mentioned,
and the main change has been that sour milk has been replaced, to a large extent,
by cereals. Average estimated educational levels lie between standards two to
four. Malnutrition is rife amongst the Bantu in the Ciskei today.
6. Animal husbandry is generally at a low level, and while the Bantu have
long been associated with livestock, they cannot be referred to as being stockmen
in the European acceptance of the word. Using the modified Talbot system
of calculating livestock equivalents, there were 342, 253 mature livestock units
in the Ciskei, and the grazing pressure averaged one unit per 2.51 morgen. It
is estimated that there were not more than 10 per cent of the land and livestock
owners in the Ciskei who can be regarded as "progressive". The Xhosa consider
cattle to be the most cherished of their possessions, and these play an important
part in their social, economic, rttual and spiritual life. Cattle have been used
in the payment of lobola or bride-price but a change over to a cash basis seems
prevalent. Cattle are of a heterogeneous type, but the encouragement and sub
sidisation of Brown Swiss sires by the authorities, has tended to increase the
number of exotic/native cross-bred progeny. A homogeneous and productive
cattle population throughout the Bantu Ciskei is the aim of this policy. The
Bantu farmers have many arguments against the Brown Swiss breed. Breeding
data is presented, and in some locations where late castration of the bull-calves
is practised, inbreeding appears probable, although its effect is probably minimized
because of the continuous replacement of animals that die. Veld and
browse provide about 99 per cent of the diet of cattle, the remainder being crop
residues. Very little provision is made for winter feeding, even in the irrigation
areas. Management is generally at a low level, being of the traditional type,
while the annual incidence of disease together with no, or ineffective, treatment,
is responsible for lowered production. Mortality in normal years lies between
five and six per cent, but can be as high as 50 per cent in a drought year in some
locations.
Mature native cattle average about 820 pounds liveweight, while the Brown
Swiss cross-breds have averaged 1,040 pounds. At the East London abattoir,
Bantu-origin cattle averaged 380 pounds for cold, dressed carcasses, and in
1967·,90 per cent of these carcasses graded thirds and fourths. Cattle dying
in the locations are generally consumed by the local population. The popularity
of stock sales is stressed by the large increase in numbers sold over a ten-year
period. The incidence of bovine cysticercosis in Bantu stock at the abattoir
averaged 7.53 per cent compared with the European cattle incidence of 4.87 per
cent.
African goats predominate, but the Angora goat and Boerbok are gaining
in popularity. Goats are run together with sheep and are important from both
Co-operative dairy schemes operate throughout the Ciskei on a basis of .
separating the milk and selling the cream. Fresh milk is sold by a few of these
dairies, notably Jan Tshatshu in the King William's Town District, where cows
averaged 7.86 pounds of milk daily on irrigated pastures. Dryland production
averages 2.77 to 6.49 pounds per cow daily. A high proportion of the calves die
from overrnilking of the dams each year. Nearly 38 per cent of the total cattle
population are oxen, and these are maintained chiefly for land cultivation purposes.
Sheep of the Merino type, are kept and averaged 50 to 90 per cent lambing
percentages in the different localities. Nutrition and management are much the
same as for cattle. Wool yields average between three to four pounds per sheep,
the wool being fine (64's to 66' s), but being of an inferior quality and mostly
short wool. Large numbers are sold on the stock sales, but from a ritual viewpoint,
sheep are considered unsuitable as they do not cry out when being slaughtered.
African goats predominate, but the Angora goat and Boerbok are gaining
in popularity. Goats are run together with sheep and are important from both
a ritual and a meat point of view.
African Hut-pigs are the main type in the Ciskei and are scavengers,
the latter being the reason why the incidence of cysticercosis is as high as
13. 38 per cent of all Bantu-origin pigs.
Equines and poultry, comparatively speaking, are relatively unimportant,
although the horse plays an important role in transportation and recreation,
and it is generally considered that the fowl provides a good deal of the
meat consumed in some districts. The "Native-type" horse and the African
Hut-fowl predominate.
7. Crop production plays an important, although secondary, part in the
lives of the Bantu farmers, and only 13 per cent of the total area is arable, of
which 67 has been planned. Dryland cropping is most common, but there are
four irrigation schemes in existence. Maize, sorghum and wheat are the important
crops, and in all cases, low yields are obtained. Oxen comprise the
chief draught power when ploughing, with tractors accounting for about one third
of the area ploughed. Just over half of the veld is under a system of controlled
grazing, while soil erosion is a serious problem in many areas. Vegetable,
fruit and forestry generally play a small part in the life of the farming
community, the forestry side falling under the Trust to a major degree.
8. The limiting factors in animal, crop and pasture production, are indicated
in detail. In animal production, low yields are due primarily to poor
nutrition and management, and in some locations, to inbreeding to a Iesser
degree. In crop production, natural factors, low soil fertility, erosion, poor
cultivation practices, and the negligible use of fertilisers and organic matter,
are, inter alia, responsiblé for low yields. The relative scarcity of organised
markets, inadequate development of water resources, the existing limited
credit facilities, lack of capital and the predominating form of land tenure,
are all factors which affect animal and crop production. In 'general, the human
factor is considered to be the main limiting factor in production, since the
Bantu farmer displays his greatest deficiency in entrepreneural ability.
The agro-potential of the Ciskei is assessed, and it is apparent that a
highly accelerated, evolutionary approach is required. The animal potential
is high providing that improved nutrition and management practices are introduced
and that breeds are used to best advantage on an ecological basis. Many
production schemes are indicated but these require the production and utilisation
of supplementary feeds to even out the nutritional level in the dry periods and
to encourage the use of improved production techniques. The growing of lucerne
under irrigation and dryland conditions, together with the processing of crop
by-products into fortified feeds, can give a tremendous boost to animal production in the Ciskei.
The agronomic potential, in terms of average yields per morgen, can be
assessed as follows: maize - 12 to 15 bags; sorghum - six to eight bags;
wheat - five bags; lucerne hay - three tons. Most crops growing under irrigation,
could have their averages nearly doubled, and the area under irrigation,
735 morgen, could quite likely be increased to 19,000 morgen, not including
supplementary irrigation schemes. The grazing potential of the high rainfall
areas could be assessed at two to two and a half morgen per livestock unit.
Where veld is fertilised, animal production could be increased three to fourfold.
In realising the agro-potential of an area, education at all levels, becomes
of prime importance, and this includes the provision of sufficient practical and
well-trained agricultural extension officials in the field. Credit facilities, and
out-right ownership of land are necessary, and agricultural co-operatives and
farmers' associations are seen as mediums through which higher levels of
production can be achieved. Human potential can be realised mainly by education
and example and it is here where the progressive farmers have an important
part to play. Industrial development is needed to relieve the pressure on land,
so that only the true farmer remains on the land. The existing "dual society"
presents difficulties on both the agricultural and industrial sides.
A system of training farmers is mentioned,· together with the role that
Radio Bantu is playing in agricultural development.
A list of recommendations is appended, and deals with ways and means
of bringing about an agrarian revolution.
Description
Keywords
Cropping systems -- South Africa -- Ciskei, Agriculture -- South Africa -- Ciskei, Livestock -- South Africa -- Ciskei, Agricultural systems -- South Africa -- Homelands, Dissertation (M.Sc.Agric. (Animal Science))--University of the Free State, 1969