SEAP - Policy, Legal and Institutional Working Group Report

LEVEL FOUR

Under Agricultural Land Use and Environmental Action Plan

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION ACTION PLAN

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION POLICY

This policy is to deal with the development of livestock and livestock products, subject to the NLP, ULP and ALUP provisions. It focuses on livestock production on SNL.

STATUS OF POLICY

A Livestock Development Policy has been submitted to cabinet and has been endorsed in 1994. The policy provides detailed policies and strategies to improve livestock production, with a strong emphasis on technical solutions.

ISSUES SUMMARY

Production and management

Low productivity on communal SNL.
Poor quality of livestock.
Low offtake.
Livestock industry not taking advantage of market opportunities, such as fulfilling quota.
Role of livestock in Swazi culture and tradition (wealth, security, social obligations, draught power).
Lack of understanding of the economics from the livestock owner's point of view, in particular as investment alternative.
Inadequate marketing systems.
Inadequate handling facilities of livestock products.
Animal health hazards from neighbouring countries.
Improper use of sisa and fattening ranches.
Negligence of small stock development.
Grazing on land with high potential for crop production.
Insufficient livestock extension service.
Lack of administration of grazing on SNL.

Environment and degradation

Severe and widespread erosion and deterioration of the rangelands.
Unsustainable stocking rates.
Detrimental environmental effects by dipping, watering and other practices, especially related to cattle movements.
Lack of control and management of communal grazing resources.
Communal tenure system not conducive to sustainable grazing.

SUMMARY POLICY PROPOSALS

Overall Objective:

To achieve an efficient and sustainable livestock industry contributing to the overall economic development.

Policy principles:

Livestock production be based on ecological sustainability, economic viability and understanding of the socio-economic implications of interventions.
Livestock development be promoted in areas best suited for range and pasture, in overall balance with other land uses.
Institutional changes in land tenure arrangements and control be recognized as precondition to sustainable livestock development.
Cost recovery applied to all services rendered.

Policy practical elements:

Environmental protection be incorporated as integral part of livestock production.
The present rangelands and grazing areas be appraised with respect to suitability for major land uses and overall national land use priorities.
Priority be given to the rehabilitation of degraded rangelands by the most appropriate measures, including changes to other land uses.
Sustainable range management be introduced on the basis of zonation of grazing potential and stocking rates.
Individual rights to utilize communal pasture be formalized and restricted, subject to equitable access and share.
Commercialization of livestock production be promoted on both SNL and TDL, with emphasis on the quality of the herd and the central role of offtake.
Essential facilities and procedures of the livestock industry be improved, such as marketing, processing and quality control.

Policy supportive elements:

Active participation of livestock owners be ensured in the planning and decision making on livestock development on communal land.
Practical veterinary and livestock research and technology development be conducted in fields relevant to the Swaziland livestock industry.
Dissemination of information and communication with livestock owners be promoted.
Legislation including regulatory control over range resources and livestock numbers be reviewed and enforced.

SUMMARY STRATEGY PROPOSALS

Strategy to establish sustainable range management and environmental protection

Most of the present rangelands are severely degraded as a result of unsustainable use. The strategy conducive to the overall livestock development objective is aimed at commercializing the livestock industry, including on SNL. The feasibility of the introduction of commercial livestock production depends on finding solutions for the lack of communal control and management of the rangelands.

Formalizing grazing rights and increasing responsibility for range management

Livestock numbers ought to be brought in better accordance with grazing capacity, which could be achieved by increasing the grazing capacity through better management or through reducing livestock numbers by larger offtake. The strategy should therefore, on one hand, aim at increasing the communal and individual responsibility for the range resources, and on the other, at making communal grazing less attractive.

To encourage effective social pasture control through local consensus on sustainable use of communal grazing land.
To formalize individual rights in order to develop individual responsibility.
To define in writing all proprietorial rights over SNL, inclusive of all rights to graze livestock over designated areas;
To institute agistment fees for cattle, at a level in the region of five years' purchase for an average mature beast, beyond an upper limit of herd size for permanent residents, and applicable the herds of all non-residents
To give local authorities, combined with new livestock users associations, the right and obligation to limit livestock numbers.
To reduce livestock investment values by increasing the cost of maintenance, thereby encouraging an increased offtake.

Range rehabilitation and monitoring

To improve the range database by comprehensive description of vegetation units and to define the critical range condition standards through reference pilot areas for periodic assessment and monitoring. It is recommended to make use of available information, such as AEZ and vegetation inventories (GIS) and diptank database.
To make comprehensive plans for the rehabilitation of degraded rangelands through:
- assessing the range condition;
- evaluating the overall land suitability of the degraded land;
- weigh the various options such as rehabilitation as rangeland, conservation with or without protection, change to other land use (e.g. crop production, forestry), etc.
- Finalize and implement plans with local participation.
To reappraise the effect of government fattening and sisa ranches and grazing management schemes on SNL offtake and development impact, and also to appraise the overall sustainability and alternative options for their use, such as conversion to TDL, leasing to individuals or farmer associations (preferably from SNL), resettlement, overflow from rehabilitation areas, nature reserves, etc.

Technical strategy elements to increase livestock production

This section reflects the main elements from the Livestock Development Policy. For further detailed technical strategic elements reference is made to this document. The three key elements in a commercialized livestock industry are the quality and standard of (1) the herd, (2) the range and pasture, and (3) the operational and managerial system.

To improve the quality of the national herd by selection and breeding.
To improve livestock nutrition by better access and utilization of feed resources and supplementary feeding.
To increase animal health by improved disease prevention and animal health care services.
To improve and facilitate livestock marketing, including marketing for low quality animals.
To expand and modernize processing industries, including re-establishment of canning.
To upgrade and monitor meat hygiene standards and sanitary requirements.
To educate indigenous livestock farmers with regard to the necessity and benefits of keeping smaller herds of higher quality.
To develop range management guidelines and train livestock owners in range management.
To promote (semi-)commercialized smallholder livestock enterprises, including small stock and dairy.
To gradually remove all subsidies in government livestock support services and promote privatisation of these services, such as:
- veterinary clinical services
- sisa and fattening ranches
- breeding ranches
- dipping
- feed provision.

KEY REFERENCE MATERIAL

MoAC The Cabinet Approved Livestock Development Policy.

MoAC The Sweet / Khumalo Vegetation Map

FAO / MoAC Livestock Sector Review: stocking rates note, E Van Waveren.

Mc Dermott, M. Agistment fee Proposal, LRM / D Working Group.

MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITY

MoAC, MTEC, MNRE.

4.1.1.2.0. CROP PRODUCTION ACTION PLAN

CROP PRODUCTION POLICY

This policy is to deal with the production of crops, subject to the recommendations of the Rural and Agricultural Land Use and Environmental Policies. It pays attention to both commercial and subsistence farming, with special reference to smallholder development.

STATUS OF POLICY

Non-existent

ISSUES SUMMARY

Low crop production levels.
Low level and disparity of food and nutrition security.
Lack of crop diversification.
Crops grown in areas where conditions are not suitable.
Emphasis on monocropping in both subsistence and commercial farming.
Present pricing and marketing policies discourage commercial high value crop production.
Lack of capital and credit facilities for agricultural investment.
Seed production and availability.
Inadequate storage, transport, distribution and marketing systems.
Agricultural extension service not crop and zonation specific.

SUMMARY POLICY PROPOSALS

Crop production policy follows the objectives and policies as defined at the agricultural land and environmental policy level. Food production is tied to the food security policy, which has to be further defined in terms of crop selection and priorities.

Broad Overall Objectives:

To achieve efficient and sustainable crop production systems.
To optimally contribute to food and nutrition security at national and household level.

Policy Principles:

An appropriate balance be pursued between subsistence and cash crop production.
Commercialization of crop production be promoted, with diversification towards high value crops.
Food security be improved by ensuring food supplies at lowest cost rather than raising domestic production at high cost.

Policy Practical Elements:

Integration of soil conservation and land rehabilitation with crop production.
Crop production planning be linked to AEZ and land suitability, phasing out rainfed production in non suitable zones and replacing by irrigated or livestock production.
Farmers be advised on appropriate crop selection and techniques to reduce effects of drought.
Management levels and farming technology be improved.

Policy Supportive Elements:

The policy supportive elements are similar to the ones listed at the agricultural land use and environmental policy at the third level.

SUMMARY STRATEGY PROPOSALS

The crop production strategy incorporates the relevant higher level strategy elements, in particular the agricultural land use and environmental strategy. Emphasis is on smallholder development on SNL. Essential elements are again environmental integration, land tenure and agroecological zoning. Important production aspects such as crop specific technology and marketing have to be worked out at lower level strategies.

To integrate environmental protection and crop production systems by adhering to environmentally sound practices, including soil conservation and control of the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
To introduce crop production systems for the rehabilitation of eroded and degraded rangelands, especially on high potential land in Highveld and Upper Middleveld.
To facilitate and secure investments on SNL by making appropriate changes in the tenure arrangements, e.g. by defining rights of holders and through leaseholds.
To involve the farmers, and in particular women, in the planning and decision making of cropping systems.
To stimulate commercialization and diversification of crop production systems through incentives and structural improvements with the dual aim to improve incomes and contribute to food security.
To advise and assist dry-land farmers in drought sensitive zones in the planning for other land uses or improve production through introduction of drought resistant crops, water harvesting and moisture retention techniques.
To improve household food and nutrient security by promoting small scale irrigation (including homestead gardens) and fruit trees.
To promote smallholder irrigation and innovative production systems such as permaculture.
To promote cultivation of crops to be processed in large- and small-scale agro-industries.
To improve seed production and distribution in accordance to farmers demands in the different agroecological zones.
To improve input delivery, crop storage, processing, transport and marketing through active participation of farmers associations.
To improve the functioning of extension services though restructuring following the needs and requirements of the farmers, with emphasis on crop differentiation and specialization in a zonal approach, and considering options of transferring extension responsibilities to the private sector.
To use agroecological zoning (AEZ) and land suitability for the selection and promotion of crops and land utilization types. Recommended crops per AEZ or AEZ combination on suitable soils according to gross margins (mod. high over 1000E/ha, mod. low 500-1000E/ha) or potential are listed as follows:

Improved rainfed arable field cropping

sunflower: Highveld/Upper-Lower Middleveld/Lebombo mod. high gross margins, N/SW Lowveld mod. low gross margins;
groundnut: Upper-Lower Middleveld/Lebombo mod. high gross margins, N/SW Lowveld mod.low gross margins;
potato: Highveld probably mod. high gross margins;
maize: Highveld/Upper Middleveld/Upper Lebombo mod. high gross margins;
cowpea/bean: Upper Middleveld/Upper Lebombo mod. low gross margins (some potential in Lower Middleveld);
cotton: Upper-Lower Middleveld/Lebombo/N-SW Lowveld mod. high gross margins, SE Lowveld mod. low gross margins;
sorghum: although medium potential in all zones, only in Highveld mod. low gross margins, elsewhere low or negative, and not recommended.

Rainfed tree cropping

apple, pear, plum, peach, avocado: medium-high potential in Highveld;
mango, granadilla, cashew, pecan nut, tung nut: medium-high potential in Upper Middleveld/Lebombo, mango also in Lower Middleveld.

Irrigated tree cropping

citrus, banana: medium-high potential in Lower Middleveld/Lowveld.
Irrigated medium-large scale commercial perennial field cropping
sugar cane: medium-high potential in Lower Middleveld/Lowveld.

Irrigated medium scale commercial annual field cropping

double cropping cotton, maize, groundnut, wheat, potato: medium-high potential in Lower Middleveld/Lowveld.

Irrigated smallholder semi-commercial annual field cropping

single cropping vegetables: medium-high potential in Middleveld/Lowveld;
double cropping vegetables and annual crops: medium-high potential in Middleveld/Lowveld.

Irrigated microprojects

single and double cropping vegetables: all zones.

KEY REFERENCE MATERIAL

FAO / MoAC Cropping Strategy for SNL Farms: Preliminary study with Agro-climatic and Socio-economic Overview. Project Paper. (1993. G. Holm and E. Van Waveren).

Water Resources and Irrigation. Consultants Report. (1994, C.R. Chapman).

Crop Requirements, with Special Reference to Climate and Soils. (1993, E. Van Waveren & J.V. Nhengetfwa, V.F. Simelane, J.S. Mashwama and B.S. Masuku).

Agro-ecological Analysis of Swaziland. Part B. Land Suitability for Rainfed Crop Production. Results for: Bean, Cotton, Cowpea, Groundnut, Maize, Sorghum, Sunflower & Tobacco. With annexes on Land Suitability Classification and Potential Yield Estimates (1993, E. Van Waveren, J.V. Nhengetfwa, J.S. Mashwama). With 8 separate maps.

Agro-ecological Analysis of Swaziland. Part C. Land Suitability for Irrigated Tree & Field Crops. Results for: Avacado, Cashew, Citrus, Granadilla, Litchi, Mango, Papaya, Pecan Nut & Tung Nut; Banana, Cotton, Maize, Sugar Cane & Wheat. (1994, E. Van Waveren). With fourteen separate maps.

MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITY

MoAC, MNRE