The marketing of livestock on communal lands in the Eastern Cape Province: contraints, challenges and implications for the extension services

Abstract

This paper identifies the constraints for livestock marketing by small-scale farmers. It further provides a new perspective on actionable strategies and implications for agricultural extension that will improve the situation. The development of an efficient livestock marketing system for the small-scale farmers by means of improved extension services and other related aspects are therefore afforded a main focus. A model for the provision of extension services that seeks to address the problem is presented. This model shows that an integrated approach is fundamental to the efficient provision of agricultural extension services which will improve, among other things, farmer productivity and efficiency through adoption and use of technology and practices. The latter is likely to underpin an efficient livestock marketing system within the small-scale livestock sector, thereby increasing possibilities for high market off-take, as well as increased profitability.

Keywords: livestock, marketing, communal land, Eastern Cape

South African Journal of Agricultural Extension Vol. 34(1) 2005: 81-103