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A Socio-Economic analysis of smallholder Agriculture in Lebowa

Thesis( DSc Agric)--University of Pretoria, 1982

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Other Authors: Groenewald, J.A.
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2014
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Groenewald, J.A.
author_browse Groenewald, J.A.
author_facet Groenewald, J.A.
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 1982 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Thesis( DSc Agric)--University of Pretoria, 1982
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:39:55.528Z
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provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2014
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publisher University of Pretoria
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spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/33040 A Socio-Economic analysis of smallholder Agriculture in Lebowa Groenewald, J.A. Fenyes, T.I. (Tamas Imre) Smallholders of Lebowa Farming Growth potentials Lebowa Government's Declared Development Policy UCTD Thesis( DSc Agric)--University of Pretoria, 1982 The smallholders of Lebowa are not idealists farming for the good of the nation; they are farn1ing for survival, and any plan for the agricultural sector must be jn harmony with the hopes and aspirations of these farm people. The conceptual background was build around Mosher's philosophy of areas with different growth potentials and the Lebowa goverments declared developrnent policy. Following these guidelines, an attempt was made to divide Lebowa into three area types according to different growth potentials. The rnethodology of the division of areas was adjusted to place more emphasis on the human factor. Smallholders were divided into two groups: Group A (Immediate Growth potential areas) and Group B (Future and Low Growth potential areas). Group A farmers were found to be more settled with stronger traditional structures and are generally speaking more satisfied with the present state of affairs. They enjoy higher welfare levels. They are generally more conservative but sometimes also more rational than Group B fanners. The smallholders have little knowledge on the ecologically possible carrying capacity of grazing and their aspirations are unrealistically high. Non-traditional leaders regard lack of incentives, for example too small arable fields, inadequate markets, credit etc. and the subsistence base of the present social order; as major causes of low productivity. They generally have a very low opinion of traditional leadership. The level of rural off-farm employment, especially for Group A, is low and compares unfavourably with many African countries. A large variety of crops is grown and intercropping is common. In stock fanning, the smallholders have demonstrated positive response to price changes both in numbers and in percentages of stock sold. Overgrazjng is a growingg problem, and the pursuance of a. production oriented extension programme is in danger of being counter-productive, because this enables smallholders to build up larger herds. This is likely to occur as long as arable and grazing land is communal or free, even if agrict:ltural productjon will be significantly directed towards the market. Livestock is perhaps the only investment alternative open to many Lebowa farmers. This suggests that alternative investinent opportunities must be created. This will require modification in the direction of flow of capital between different sectors by creating opportunities to invest in agricultural and agro-based production or financial institutions. Extension efforts should concentrate more on livestock quality which, coupled with progressive farming practices should lead to reduced livestock numbers. The low level of market orientation can partly be explained by underdeveloped marketing and credit institutions. The Lebowa smallholders and their non-traditional leaders gave a clear tnandate for land tenure reform. The traditional leaders are iil many respect more progressive than popular belief will suggest, but are hesitant in this regard. gm2014 Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development unrestricted 2014-01-21T08:10:34Z 2014-01-21T08:10:34Z 1982-03-02 1982 Thesis Groenewald, JA 1982, A Socio-Economic analysis of smallholder Agriculture in Lebowa, DSc (Agric) thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd <http://hdl.handle.net/2263/33040> D13/9/1211/gm http://hdl.handle.net/2263/33040 en © 1982 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle Smallholders of Lebowa
Farming
Growth potentials
Lebowa Government's Declared Development Policy
UCTD
A Socio-Economic analysis of smallholder Agriculture in Lebowa
title A Socio-Economic analysis of smallholder Agriculture in Lebowa
title_full A Socio-Economic analysis of smallholder Agriculture in Lebowa
title_fullStr A Socio-Economic analysis of smallholder Agriculture in Lebowa
title_full_unstemmed A Socio-Economic analysis of smallholder Agriculture in Lebowa
title_short A Socio-Economic analysis of smallholder Agriculture in Lebowa
title_sort socio economic analysis of smallholder agriculture in lebowa
topic Smallholders of Lebowa
Farming
Growth potentials
Lebowa Government's Declared Development Policy
UCTD
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/33040