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Farming I
Mahangu (pearl millet) and sorghum are the most important crops, while
livestock numbers are dominated by cattle, goats, donkeys and poultry.
Almost every rural household grows these crops and most of them also
have poultry and goats. Cattle ownership, however, is unequal, with
about 80% of the cattle being owned by 20% of the households. Labour is
the most important input to crop cultivation, especially in having
adequate labour during critical periods when fields must be ploughed,
planted, weeded or harvested.
Rainfall and soil fertility
have a major effect on crop yields, but crop and livestock production is
also heavily dependent on the size and wealth of households; larger,
richer families are able to contribute more labour and pay for seed,
ploughs and other inputs. Farming contributes very little to the cash
incomes of the majority of households because few farm products are
sold. While farm products are a vital source of food for poor
households, farming serves largely as an investment for wealthier
households. Even though an estimated 30% of cattle are moved to seasonal
grazing pastures, stocking densities remain very high throughout the
year in many areas.
Illustrations:
-
A sketch layout of
fields on a small farm in the Cuvelai
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The calendar of events
during the production of crops
-
Households having
different areas of cultivated land over 3 years
-
Relationship between
average field size and population density
-
Area cultivated per
household
-
Average field size &
number of people in the household
To
view the illustration in more detail, click on the thumbnail.
 A
sketch layout of fields on a small farm in the Cuvelai (46 KB)
download jpg image
 The
calendar of events during the production of crops (104 KB)
download jpg image
 Percentages
of households having different areas of cultivated land over three years
(89 KB)
download jpg image
 The
relationship between average field size and population density (80 KB)
download jpg image
 A
comparison of average area cultivated per household in the eastern
Kalahari woodlands and Cuvelai (91 KB)
download jpg image
 Relationship
between the average field size and the number of people in the household
(68 KB)
download jpg image
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