© Kamla-Raj 2018 J Hum Ecol, 62(1-3): 24-34 (2018) PRINT: ISSN 0970-9274 ONLINE: ISSN 2456-6608 DOI: 10.31901/24566608.2018/62.1-3.2941 Traditional Agroforestry Practice in Limpopo Province of South Africa
K. K. Ayisi1*, A. Belete2, A. Addo-Bediako3, M. R. Ramudzuli4, J. J. Mkhari5 and N. Mollel6
1University of Limpopo, Risk and Vulnerability Science Centre/VLIR-IUC, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727 South Africa 2Department of Agricultural Economics and Animal Production, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727 South Africa 3Department of Biodiversity, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727 South Africa 4Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727 South Africa 5Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, 69 Biccard Street, Polokwane, 0762 South Africa 6Rural Development Hub, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727 South Africa
KEYWORDS Crop and Livestock Productivity. Land Degradation. Rainfall. Smallholder Farmers. Soil Fertility. Woody Perennials
ABSTRACT Agroforestry practices are widespread among resource-poor farmers in the Limpopo Province, yet information on this land use system is minimal. A general survey was undertaken through site visits and structured questionnaire to generate information on structure, components, management and socio-economic issues on the agrisilvicultural and agrisilvopastoral systems among the farmers in diverse agroecological zones of the province. The following annual rainfall distribution was used to classify specific agroforestry in the communities: very low (<500 mm), low (500-600), medium (601-800) and high (801-1000) annual rainfall. Results from the survey revealed that, tree and shrub species are retained on croplands for various reasons across rainfall zones. Major concerns on adopting agroforestry include the lack of land ownership to accommodate long term investment in trees, lack of knowledge and support on agroforestry, interference on annual crops by trees and livestock. Despite the challenges, most farmers interviewed have strong interest in intensive agroforestry systems.
INTRODUCTION ability of AF to improve soil fertility, increase crop and livestock productivity, control erosion South Africa faces several challenges which and reclaim degraded lands has been reported extend to land degradation, low levels of pro- in many studies (Toppo and Raj 2018; Mbow et ductivity in rural communal areas and persistent al. 2014; Siriri et al. 2013; Jose and Bardhan rural poverty DAFF (2017). Unsustainable agri- 2012). AF has so many benefits that range from culture practices which bring about deforesta- environmental, economic and social benefits to tion, desertification, and soil erosion are accel- address food insecurity in Africa. erating the reduction in land productivity par- Reports indicated that, per capita land for ticularly in the smallholder farming sector (Kelso agriculture in Africa declined between 2000 and and Jacobson 2011). Agroforestry (AF) has the 2011 (FAO 2014). Furthermore, the average potential to curb this rapid decrease in land pro- yields of grain crops in Africa is reported to be only 1.6 t ha-1, compared to the global average ductivity as well to reclaim already degraded of 3.9 t ha-1 (Tadele 2017). The low productivity lands (Kassie and Yildiz 2016; FAO 2017). The in Africa is also related to poor soil fertility and *Address for correspondence: scarce moisture, as well as a variety of insect K.K. Ayisi pests, soil diseases, and weeds. Approximately Telephone: 015 268 4006/4015 Cell: 082 808 7684 65 percent of arable land, 30 percent of grazing E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] land and 20 percent of forests in Africa are al- TRADITIONAL AGROFORESTRY PRACTICE IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE 25 ready damaged (Montpellier Report 2014). Revers- (Kaboré and Reij 2004). Fruit trees are cherished ing the trend of soil fertility depletion in African to supplement the subsistence needs of local farming systems through soil conservation prac- communities. tices such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, crop Traditional agroforestry practices provide rotation, mulching, and integrated soil fertility added advantage of mitigating biodiversity loss, management is a major development goal to in- increase ecosystem services through carbon crease agricultural productivity (Ngumbi 2017). sequestration and thus, create opportunities for Increase in mean annual temperatures by improving diversification and range of livelihood approximately 0.65°C has been reproted for options for rural households (Bhagwat 2008; South Africa over the past five decades (Matji Toppo and Raj 2018). It has a huge potential in 2015) which is about 1.5 times the global aver- supporting biodiversity conservation. This age.. There has also been an increase in the num- study was initiated to document practises among resource-poor farmers in Limpopo province of ber of warmer days and a decrease in the num- South Africa that will provide the bases for fu- ber of cooler days. Furthermore, South Africa is ture research, and community empowerment to a water scarce country with an estimated aver- increase crop and livestock productivity in the age rainfall of 450 mm per annum and a compar- midst of climate change. atively higher evaporation rates. The average annual rainfall is well below the world’s average METHODOLOGY of 860 mm per annum (Benhin 2006; World Bank 2010). Study Sites In Limpopo Province in particular, water is a major limiting resource which often results in The Limpopo Province (formally Northern crop production losses and lower incomes in Province) of South Africa lies roughly within vulnerable areas. The adoption of agricultural latitudes 22o and 25o south of the equator and production systems that are more productive, longitude 26.4 and 31.2. The province thus en- efficient in resource use, resilient to risks and compasses both tropical and sub-tropical cli- have less variability but greater stability in their matic conditions which have definite influence outputs is required if productivity in this farm- on native vegetation and agricultural practices. ing system is to be maintained. Effective diver- During the year of survey (1999-2000), the prov- sification of production through mixed cropping, ince was divided into six administrative districts, mixed farming and agroforesety systems have namely: Northern, Western, Southern, Central, been suggested as a feasible location specific Eastern and Southveld districts. The respective strategy that can be adopted by resource-poor current district names are: Vhembe, Waterberg, farmers to cope with climate change (FAO 2013). Greater Sekhukhune, Capricorn and Mopane. In general, agroforestry occurs in diverse The Southveldt is no longer part of the Limpopo forms in South Africa. A review of several stud- province. The annual rainfall ranges from <300 ies has shown that, leaving trees on farmlands mm to >1000 mm (Fig. 1), with most parts being as agroforestry is prevalent in most agricultural relatively dry with an annual rainfall of less than 600 mm. The rational for conducting the survey production systems (Garrity 2006; Akinnifesi et within the administrative regions was that, farm- al. 2008; Safriel et al. 2014). Agroforestry is thus ing practices are generally more homogenous passive in the sense that farmers choose not to within a district compared to the province as a remove specific trees when clearing land for farm- whole. ing whilst others are deliberately cut. There are also by legislation, certain protected species Data Collection such as Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) that are not to be removed, resulting in higher popula- A general survey was undertaken from 1999 tion of the species in areas where they occur. to 2000 to generate information on structure, Some farmers interplant trees with other subsis- components, management and socio-economic tence plants for a number of reasons which ex- factors on agrisilvicultural and agrisilvopasto- tend to food source, medicinal, water conserva- ral systems among resource poor farmers in the tion, fodder production, generating enough ma- diverse agroecological zones of the province. terial for fencing, building or fuelwood etc. Information regarding traditional agroforestry 26 K. K. AYISI, A. BELETE, A. ADDO-BEDIAKO ET AL.
Fig. 1. Limpopo province, cropping emerging farmer sites systems were obtained largely through obser- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION vations and interviews using structured ques- tionnaires. The content of the questionnaire was The greatest diversity of crop tree combina- based on a format developed by the Interna- tions occurs in the medium to high rainfall zones. tional Centre for Research in Agroforestry The abundance of tree species within these two (ICRAF) but modified to suit local conditions rainfall regimes offers greater potential for se- lection of Agroforestry woody perennial for ef- (Nair 1989). Interviews conducted were partici- ficient water use in Limpopo province (Ong et patory in nature involving researchers, agricul- al. 2007; Khaine et al. 2017). In the drier environ- tural extension personnel and farmers. Three ment, species abundance could be different as broad approaches were utilized, to make contact reported by Xu (2015). The dominant tree spe- with farmers, namely: i) use of district or local cies across rainfall regimens in the province are extension personnel, where, through prior ar- presented in Table 1. rangement, specific farmers falling under the su- pervision of the extension personnel were visit- The Vhembe District ed and interviewed; ii) use of farmers groups who are usually large (20 to 50 families), these are well Very High Rainfall Zone (>1000 mm) organised groups of farmers owing several farms within a specific locality; iii) visits to farmers’ This high rainfall zone occurs only in the fields without any prior arrangement and this ap- communities around Levubu and Tshakuma. The area around Levubu is predominantly occupied proach was effective in reaching individual farm- by commercial white farmers. The few resource- ers who are neither under the supervision of ex- poor farmers found in this rainfall zone are locat- tension personnel nor belong to any farmers ed mainly in the tribal area of Tshakuma and group. The use of any particular method was large- hence the agroforestry practices in this zone are ly influenced by the locality concerned. limited to this tribal community. The land area TRADITIONAL AGROFORESTRY PRACTICE IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE 27 nds under Function/uses medicinal fruit, feed, medicinal fruit 8 fruit, shade 3 fruit 32 timber, shade, carving medicinal 2 feed, carving, medicinal 2 fruit Proportion ) 3 fruit, seed as nut ) 9 fruit, medicinal ) 3 feed, fence, fuelwood, ) 2 fence, carving fruit,jelly, ) 5 fruit, shade ) 5 fruit, alcohol, shade ) 7 carving, shade, live fence ) 2 fruit ) 7 fruit ) 3 fruit ) ) 11 shade, fuelwood Combretum ) Parinari curatellifolia ) 9 fruit, shade Vangueria infausta) Vangueria Diospyros mespiliform (Dovyalis zeyheri Dichostachys cinerea Lonchocarpus caparsa) Persia amaericana Kirkia acuminata Musa sapientum Sclerocarya birrea Magnifera indica Acacia spp. Psidium guajava) Prunus persicu Citrus sinensis Ficus spp Albezia tanganyicensis) Griwia occidentalis ild medlar ( Mango ( Farmland Acacia ( Jackal-berry ( Citrus ( Guava ( River bushwillow ( erythrophyllum Paperbark false thorn ( Banana ( Apple-leaf ( Cross-berry 2 Apricot 2 Others 10 - fence, carving Wild apricot ornamental Function/uses Tree/ medicinal ( 2 feed, fruit, 1 fruit W 1 fruit (%) Shrub (%) ) 1 fruit, medicinal ) 2 feed, shade Sickle bush ( ) 1 hedge, ornamental - - - ) 1 feed, fence, fuelwood, ) 1 ornamental, medicinal Proportion ) 2 fruit, feed, medicinal ) 1 fruit, jelly, ) 2 fruit ) 6 fruit. alcohol, shade Marula ( ) 4 carving, shade, live fence ) 7 fruit Peach ( ) 11 fruit, fuelwood, shade ) 7 fruit Syringa ( ) 10 fruit ) 9 fruit, shade )) 9 fruit, shade 5 fruit Fig ( ( Avocado Schotia spp ) 3shade fuelwood, Mobula plum ( Bauhinia galpinii ) 5 fruit, shade Dovyalis zeyheri Ehretia rigida) Griwia occidentalis Piliostigma thonningi Diospyros mespiliform Dichrostachys cinerea Morius spp Persia amaericana Carica papaya Kirkia acuminata Musa sapientum Sclerocarya birrea Magnifera indica Acacia spp Vitis vinifera) Vitis Psidium guaajava Malus domestica) Prunus persicu Citrus sinensis Ficus spp Peach ( Pawpaw ( Mulberry ( Banana ( Citrus ( Fig ( Table 1: The proportion of woody perennial species present in agroforestry system and their functions in homesteads and farmla system and their species present in agroforestry of woody perennial The proportion 1: Table Mango ( the medium to high rainfall zone (601 - 1000 mm) Homestead Trees/Shrubs Guava ( Marula ( Syringa ( Acacia ( Camel foot ( ( Avocado Cross-berry ( Puzzle bush ( Jackalberry ( Sickle bush ( ( Boer-bean Weeping Wild apricot ( Apple ( Grapes ( OthersN=57 9 - - - Pride of De kaap ( 28 K. K. AYISI, A. BELETE, A. ADDO-BEDIAKO ET AL. available for production generally ranges from stead and farmland agroforestry systems, trees approximately 0.5 – 1.0 ha. Trees grown are avo- provide diverse functions and uses which include cado, guava, banana, pawpaw, mango, litchi, and food source, shade, fuel wood, windbreak, soil macadamia nut. Occasionally, maize or leafy veg- improvement and demarcation/ fencing. etables could be found growing together with Diverse field crops are cultivated by small- mango, banana, and / or pawpaw. However, when scale farmers in this region, over 90 percent of one pools several neighbouring farms, the sys- which occur in different intercrop combinations. tem could be considered as agroforestry which is Maize pumpkin and maize-cowpea are important dominated by fruit trees. About 60 percent of the intercrop combinations in the homesteads farmers have access to flood irrigation which is whereas maize-cowpea and maize-groundnut are used to supplement the natural rains. the dominant intercrop combinations on the Livestock production is not a major compo- farmland systems. The use of leguminous plants nent of the system in this region as less than 25 is known to improve the soil and crop yield (Chi- percent of the farmers keep stock animals such wa 2000; Sileshi et al. 2008). as cattle and goats for subsistence and some- The trees were not necessarily planted by times as drought animals. The animals are al- the farmers but were present on the fields dur- lowed to roam the fields after the annual cereal ing time of land preparation and cultivation. and grain crops are harvested to feed on sto- More woody perennial species are being used vers and other plant residues. Droppings from for fuelwood (52%) and structures such as hous- the animals help to fertilize the soil, though this ing (28%) and fencing (20%). About 50 percent does not appear to be significant. of the farmers surveyed do prune the trees in the agroforestry systems especially when se- High to Medium Rainfall Zone vere shading occurs. (601-700; 801-1000 mm) Cattle, donkey and sheep are the main stock animal kept in this area. The number of cattle per Diverse tree species of different proportions family varies from 0 to 5 but few individuals in are maintained in both the homestead and farm- the community own cattle in excess of 40. The land agroforestry systems under this rainfall zone. animals feed mainly on acacia, fig, mulberry and The land area at the homestead is usually not other perennial species within their reach. How- more than 600 m2 whereas the farmlands ranged ever, in winter months when cropping activities from 0.75 to 1.5 ha. Combinations of indigenous are limited, maize residue left from the previous and exotic fruit tree species occur in the various season constitute the main feed for the animals. systems in the area. Exotic fruit trees dominate There appear to be no control over the move- the homestead systems (60%) whereas on farm- ments of the animals and therefore winter crop- lands, indigenous trees account for approximate- ping could be effectively carried out only when ly 68 percent of the tree species retained on farms. fences are erected around the farms. Due to this The dominant species in the homesteads are man- reason, several farms were not cultivated as farm- go, pawpaw, mulberry, peach, banana and guava. ers do not have enough funds to fence their On farmlands, acacia, jackal-berry, wild fig, and farms. syringa are the dominant indigenous species. It was also observed that more tree species occur Low and Very Low Rainfall Zones around homesteads than there are on the farm- (501 - 600; < 500 mm) lands. This is due to better care of trees such as fencing of seedlings and frequent watering The low and very low rainfall zones occur in around homestead by a household compared to areas around Punda Maria, Musina, Mopane, those on the farmlands. The apple leaf tree (Lon- and Bridgewater. Grain sorghum is grown by chocarpus caparsa), though not occurring in farmers in the region with Mopane tree (Colo- large proportion in this area possesses the char- phospermum Mopani) dominating the system. acteristics of dropping its leaf at the onset of the Occasionally grain sorghum- Mopane system spring season. It could therefore be effectively could be found on the farmers’ fields. A narrow incorporated into the farming system of the area strip to the west of Musina from the Limpopo as an agroforestry species without interfering River is an area used for the production of cot- with the summer arable crops. Across the home- ton, tomato and other fresh vegetables for the TRADITIONAL AGROFORESTRY PRACTICE IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE 29 fresh produce market. Emerging commercial black veld as well as crop residue on croplands during farmers are mostly found along the Nwanedz the winter months. Young seedlings of marula River where they are engaged in tomato and and other forage species are also grazed upon paprika production. Tree crops combination is during this period of communal grazing. Grazing minimal in this area. The few trees present on young seedling of tree species constitutes a major croplands are mostly left at the outskirts of fields setback for regeneration of woody perennial for shade as well as demarcation. The trees cur- species in the area. rently found on the farmlands were not neces- sarily planted by farmers but they happened to Very Low Rainfall (<500 mm) be there naturally. Roughly 52 percent of the farmers were contemplating getting rid of the A more diverse indigenous and exotic tree trees since they anticipated that it was interfere species are maintained in the homestead in the with their crop production and they had no in- Dikgale-Solomondale area but wild fig, buffalo tention of having any more trees in future. Twen- thorn and peach trees tend to dominate the sys- ty two percent indicated that they would prefer tems in this area. Indigenous trees are more prev- having trees only in the homesteads and 26 per- alent on farmlands with acacia spp. accounting cent prefer fodder trees for about 31 percent of the trees present. The Acacia species is a legume and if it is effectively The Capricorn District utilised as an agroforestry species through prun- ing and mulching, it can contribute to the build- Low Rainfall (501 -600 mm) ing of the soil fertility of the farm lands (Sileshi 2012). Due to the wide variety of tree species, a Most of the farming activities in this area wider combination of agrisilvicultural practices occur on farmlands though a number of home occur in this region. Buffalo thorn in combina- gardens were observed. About 82 percent of tion with maize and cowpea or sweet sorghum the farmland surveyed were at least 1 ha but and cowpea are the major combinations account- several farmers appear to have more than one ing for about 17 percent of the homestead agrisil- farm. Over 90 percent of the trees occurring on vicultural systems. Acacia with maize-cowpea, farmlands in this rainfall zone are indigenous. or sorghum-cowpea are important on the farm- Marula is the dominant species, constituting 12 percent of the species. Other species include lands and constitute 12 percent of the system. the jacklesberry, silverleaf, pawpaw, jackaranda, Marula, sicklebush, camel’s foot and again buf- chineseberry, and wild fig, each accounting for falo thorn are also important trees on the farm- 8 percent of the tree species. Important crops lands. Under the homestead system, position grown on farmlands are maize (22%), followed of trees were in rows, random mixture or along by cowpea, groundnut and pumpkin, each ac- the boundaries, whereas on the farmlands, about counting for 15 percent of the crops grown. 71 percent of the trees occurred on boundaries Similar to other districts, marula-maize agrisilvi- of the farms and the remaining 29 percent locat- cultural system is the most widespread practice, ed randomly on the farm. There is limited agrisil- constituting 27 percent of the tree crop combi- vicultural systems in the Bochum area and the nation. Silverleaf-maize combination is also an surrounding communities due to scarcity of important combination accounting for 18 per- water. Over 70 percent of the homegardens sur- cent of the agrisilvicultural practices in the area. veyed had more than 10 trees within an area of About 43 percent of the trees occur in an inti- about 300 m2. mate mixture with crops on the farms whereas The farming community in Dikgale-Solomon- the rest are located on or closer to the bound- dale area hardly involves livestock component, aries. The main reason for keeping trees in the though the farmers are eager to engage in this area is to provide food, shade and firewood. The enterprise. The main reason for the limited live- average number of trees per hectare of land was stock production according to the farmers, is estimated to be 15. There is also no regular prun- the general lack of adequate fodder in the entire ing of trees in the farming system. community to sustain the animals. Most part of Cattle is the main stock animal kept in this the district is characterised by the native vege- area. The source of animal feed is mainly the tation with Acacia species dominating the land- 30 K. K. AYISI, A. BELETE, A. ADDO-BEDIAKO ET AL. scape. Winter months are severely dry with very Cattle is the main stock animal kept in this little green fodder species and hence high rates area and similar to other areas in the province, of stock mortality during these periods are com- the sources of feed are from grasses on the nat- mon. Identification of suitable agroforestry trees ural veld, woody perennial species such as aca- capable of maintaining foliage for livestock cia, fig, mulberry and other perennial species throughout the year will in no doubt contribute within their reach and then on crop residue dur- ing winter months. to food security in this region. Farmers men- tioned the need for assistance in enhancing the Medium to High Rainfall Zone use of fodder trees and shrubs if agroforestry prac- (601 - 1000 mm) tices is to be promoted in this dry environment. A wide array of indigenous and exotic tree The Mopani District species are maintained on farmlands in the area. Marula and banana are the dominant trees (about Very high rainfall zone (>1000 mm) 13%), followed by guava, pawpaw and mango, each constituting about 9 percent of the trees Both indigenous and exotic tree species are on farmland. Other important trees are Jackles- present in this rainfall zone, with Jacklesberry berry, avocado, and silverleaf. Several crops are dominating the system (21%). This is followed produced by farmers in this area but the domi- by marula, pawpaw, banana and mango, each nant ones are maize (22%), leafy vegetables (19%), cowpea and pumpkin (11% each). Though accounting for 14 percent of the trees on farm- sole maize is a major cropping practice (42%), lands (Table 1). Other species such as avocado, several intercropping of the various crops are natal mahogany and pigeonpea are present in practised by the farmers. Due to the diversity of the agroforestry system. Leafy vegetables are tree and crop species occurring in the area, sev- the main crops grown (44%) followed by maize eral tree-crop combinations could be found on and tomatoes, each constituting 22 percent of the farmers’ field. Marula-maize and Jacaranda- the crops grown. About 71 percent of the maize cocoyam are dominant, accounting for about 13 produced are in sole stands. Maize-pumpkin is percent of the agrisilvicultural practices in the the only major intercropping practice observed area. About 48 percent of the trees are located in the area. Mango and pawpaw in combination in an intimate mixture with crops whereas 28 per- with maize and vegetables are the major tree- cent occur along the boundaries of farmers’ field. crop combination in the area accounting for 50 Similar to the very high rainfall regions inter- percent of the agrisilvicultural practices. Other viewed, about 77 percent of the farmers keep the trees as food source and 20 percent for shade. important practices are marula-maize-vegetables, Tree and shrub seedlings are usually grazed marula-maize, banana-maize-vegetables and pi- upon before they could be fully developed into geonpea-maize-vegetables. The trees generally mature trees. Other reasons include use of wood occur in random mixture on the land or are locat- for fencing (10%) and structures around the ed on the boundaries. About 77 percent of the homesteads (4%). farmers interviewed indicated that, provision of Cattle is the main stock animal kept in this food source is the main reason why the trees are area. Other livestock in the area include sheep maintained on the farmland. The estimated num- and goats whose numbers vary from 8 to about ber of trees per hectare in the area was nine. The 20 per household. The majority of the livestock definite preference for fruit trees in the area is graze on grass from the veld and also from resi- primarily due to the favourable rainfall and other due on croplands during winter months when climatic factors which naturally sustain this farm- crops are harvested. ing activity. About 60 percent of the farmers sur- Low Rainfall Zone (< 500 mm) veyed prune the trees in the agroforestry sys- tem especially when severe shading occurs. The main areas surveyed in this zone were There is a reduction in tree and shrub density Phalaborwa, Namakgale, Lulekani and Makhus- and is primarily due to demand of space for crop- hane. Indigenous tree species dominate the farm- ping (76%), structures such as housing and fenc- lands in this area with marula comprising about ing (15%) and for fuelwood. 19 percent of the species. The other main exotic TRADITIONAL AGROFORESTRY PRACTICE IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE 31 fruit trees in the area are mango, avocado, paw- duced population to clearance for annual crop- paw, peach and banana. There is less diversity ping, 18 percent attributed it to demand for fuel- of crops grown in the area compared to the me- wood and 7 percent to utilization of the species dium and high rainfall areas. The major crops for structures, fences and buildings. Regarding found in the areas were maize, leafy vegetables farmers intention to grow trees, about 32 percent and groundnuts and these account for roughly of the farmers expressed the desire to grow indig- 64 percent of the crops in the area. Marula-maize enous trees and shrub species provided the trees is the main agrisilvicultural practice (18%) with are planted on boundaries of the croplands marula-groundnut and false-marula-tomato com- Cattle is the main stock animal kept in this prising about 7 percent each of the tree-crop area. The animal feed is mainly from the veld as systems. About 73 percent of the trees occur well as from crop residue on croplands during along the boundaries of the farm and 23 percent the winter months. Tree and shrub species such on the farmlands. The main functions of the trees as marula, mulberry, and acacia that is within are to provide shade or food though use of trees reach of the animals is grazed upon. for fuelwood is also important in the area. The main stock animals are cattle, sheep and Low Rainfall Zone (501-600 mm) goats. The number of cattle per household var- ies from 6 to 13. Similar to other communal sys- The towns falling under this rainfall catego- tems, the animals graze on grass species from ry include Lebowakgomo, Veerplatz, Strydkraal, the veld as well as woody and shrub species Sipitsi, Andreisdraal, Jane Fuss, parts of the within their reach during summer months and Nebo district and Sekhukhune and surrounding on additional feed from crop residues from farm- communities. The major tree and shrub species lands during winter months. identified on farmers’ fields in this area are aca- cia, marula, pawpaw banana, bluegum and mali- The Sekhukhune District acazedarac, each comprising about 14 percent of the trees. Less crop diversity was found in Medium Rainfall Zone (601-800 mm) the area but production of leafy vegetables and tomato appear to be major enterprises. Other A great diversity of indigenous and exotic crops found in the area are cotton, sorghum and fruit trees species could be found in this region wheat. The majority of the crop appeared to be and no particular species appear to be domi- produced in pure stands probably due to the nant. However, important trees in the farming low available moisture which might not be system include guava, peach, lemon and mali- favourable for intercropping. Apart from the cazearac each accounting for about 9 percent of marula-grain sorghum system which accounts all the types of trees found on croplands. Other for about 42 percent of the tree-crop systems, important trees are jacaranda, mulberry, and lo- there are no distinct agrisilvicultural practices in quet. Leafy vegetables and maize constitute 36 most parts of the region. Pawpaw and banana percent and 21 percent respectively of the crops with leafy vegetables or tomato were however grown on the farmers’ fields whereas watermel- observed in the area each constituting 11 per- on and tomato accounts for 10 percent of the cent of the system. The other tree-crop combi- crop. Other crops grown in the area are wheat, nations are so scanty, they could hardly be de- soybean, cotton, and pumpkin. There is no dom- scribed as systems. Restrictions on felling of inant agrisilvicultural system in the area but some Marula trees by tribal laws has contributed to of the common practices are marula-vegetables, increased proportion of the tree species in the marula-tomato, Jacklesberry-sweet potato, bush systems wherever it occurs. willow-bambara groundnuts and jacaranda-bam- Arrangement of trees on the fields did not bara groundnut. About 44 percent of the trees seem to follow any particular pattern since sin- are located on the boundaries and 33 percent in gle rows, mixed arrangement with crops, loca- intimate mixture with crops on the farms. Sixty tion on boundaries of the farms were observed percent of the farmers admitted having had more in equal proportion (33%). Roughly 57 percent trees in the region than it is currently present of the farmers interviewed indicated food source and out of these 75 percent attributed the re- as the main reason why trees are retained on 32 K. K. AYISI, A. BELETE, A. ADDO-BEDIAKO ET AL. their farms with 28 and 14 percent indicating The rainfall in the area do not permit active windbreak and shelter respectively as the rea- crop production and there are hardly any trees son. More than 50 percent of the farmers do not left on the croplands. Acacia bush is quite dom- keep trees on their farmlands and the reason inant in the region and in some places it is creat- given was again the need for space for their an- ing bush encroachment problems nual crops. About 50 percent indicated that they prefer to keep shrubs for fodder (30%) and fruit CONCLUSION trees (28%). Large stock (mainly cattle and donkey) as The survey on agroforestry practices among well as goats and sheep form a major compo- smallholder farmers in the Limpopo province re- nent of the farming system around the Leb- vealed the following: owakgomo and Sekhukhune region and similar Farmers in the Limpopo Province are already to other regions, movement of the animals on practicing agroforestry and the intensity of the croplands are restricted during summer-grow- practice is largely dependent on the annual rain- ing months but are released during winter fall received in a particular locality. The density months after crop harvest. of trees and shrubs retained on or around farm- lands tend to increase with increasing amounts The Waterberg District of rainfall. In the high to very high rainfall areas, farmers prefer to retain fruit trees rather than in- The Waterberg district has the medium, low digenous species on the croplands. Exotic fruit and very low rainfall classification and major also tend to dominate the homegardens whereas towns within the classes are as follows: medium indigenous fruit trees prevail on the farmlands. rainfall (Naboomspruit, Potgiestersrus, Mahwel- Maize is the dominant annual crop grown by ereng, Sterkwater), low rainfall (Roedtan, Thu- the farmers but other important crops include sang, Tuniplass etc.) and very low rainfall (Bak- cowpea, groundnut, sweet potato, bambara enberg, Swartwater, Marken). The Waterberg groundnut, pumpkin, watermelon and sorghum. district is predominantly white owned commer- Almost all the crops are grown as intercrops. cial farming activities and hence little traditional Livestock production is on communal basis agroforestry practices occurs in the area. Small with the natural rangeland as the main source of holder agroforestry system as practised by black feed, although crop residue from croplands dur- farmers is negligible in the area. The low rainfall received in this district should not limit agrofor- ing winter months significantly contribute to feed estry interventions in this area. With proper plan- for the animals. Tree and shrub species on the ning and identifications of adaptable tree and rangeland that is within the reach of the animals shrub species, the current landscape can be im- is also an important feed source. proved through agroforestry for the benefit of Across the various rainfall zones, it was gen- the farmers and the rural and rural communities erally observed that the trees and shrubs are (FAO 2017). retained on croplands for reasons such as pro- Additional major towns within the rainfall vision of food, shade, fuelwood, windbreak and classes are as follows: medium rainfall (Warm- poles for structures and for demarcation. bad, Settlers, Thabazimbi, Vaalwater, Leeuport Farmers indicated that they had more tree etc.) low rainfall (Nylstoom, Alma, Koedoeskop, and shrub species on and around the crop fields Northam, Pienaarsrivier etc.) and very low rain- in the past than it is currently present. Demand fall (Orangefontein, Villa Nora, Ellisras etc). for fuelwood, poles for structures, interference The Waterberg district is characterised by with land preparation and shading of annual predominantly white owned commercial agricul- crops are among the reasons given for the spe- tural activities and game farming. There are how- cies disappearance. ever isolated small-scale farming activities around Most of the farmers interviewed have strong Elisras in the very low rainfall zone. Majority of interest in practicing intensive agroforestry sys- farmers (67%) who are interested in having tree tems but they do not see the practicality of it base agroforestry systems prefer trees for either due to a number of constraints facing them in firewood or building. their agricultural practices. Important constraints TRADITIONAL AGROFORESTRY PRACTICE IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE 33 mentioned include limited land area per house- toria, South Africa: Centre for Environmental Eco- hold which cannot accommodate trees, lack of nomics and Policy in Africa, University of Pretoria. Bhagwat S 2008. Agrofrestry: A refuge for tropical biodi- land ownership for long term investment in the versity. Trends Ecol Evol, 23(5): 261-267. woody perennial species. The land tenure sys- Chirwa P 2000. Using leguminous trees for replenish- tem has placed constraints on long-term invest- ing soil fertility in Malawi. Living with Trees in ment in land limiting the desire to expand agro- Southern Africa, (4): 9-11. forestry practices DAFF 2017. Agroforestry Strategy Framework for South Africa. South Africa: Department of Agricul- Another major constraint is inadequate water ture, Forestry and Fisheries, Republic of South Afri- in the drier areas for successful tree production. ca. From blog/2017/02/14/continuing-wins-soil-health-restora- Siriri D, Wilson J, Coe R, Tenywa MM, Bekunda, MA, tion-africa /> (Retrieved on 14 August 2018). Ong CK, Black CR 2013. Trees improve water stor- Ong CK, Anyango CL, Muthuri CW, Black CR 2007. age and reduce soil evaporation in agroforestry sys- Water use and water productivity of agroforestry tems on bench terraces in SW Uganda. Agroforestry systems in the semi-arid tropics. Annals of Arid Systems, 87: 45-58. Zone, 46(3, 4): 255-284. Tadele Z 2017. Review: Raising crop productivity in Safriel U, de Leeuw JM, Njenga MM 2014. Conceptual Africa through intensification. Agronomy, 7: 22. framework on trees and resilience. In: J De Leeuw, M Doi: 10.3390/agronomy7010022. Njenga, B Wagner, M Iiyama (Eds.): Treesilience, an Toppo P, Raj A 2018. Role of agroforestry in climate Assessment of the Resilience Povided by Trees in the change mitigation. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Drylands of eastern Africa. 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