Evaluating land use options at the wildlife/livestock interface: an integrated spatial land use analysis

In Africa, rural development and biodiversity conservation, are both important, but sometimes potentially conflicting priorities. Most rural areas adjacent to wildlife protected areas in Southern Africa have high biodiversity potential, but are characterised by high poverty, unemployment, and limited economic activity. The problems in these rural areas are further compounded by problems of crop destruction, and livestock depredation by wildlife. Transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs), recently introduced in Southern Africa, have potential to address both biodiversity and poverty alleviation through promotion of multiple land uses such as wildlife ranching, tourism, livestock and crop production. It is however, not clear how these land uses can be combined, and what the associated socio-economic costs and benefits of alternative land use options in these areas are. This study proposed a spatial land use model for evaluating alternative land uses and development pathways in these rural areas. The model maximised net revenues from the land, assuming the presence of a social planner. The model proposed, considered a range of socio-economic and biophysical factors, identified jointly with rural communities. The study comprised five empirical chapters in which the following issues are addressed; (i) socioeconomic risks associated with agriculture at the interface, and community attitudes towards wildlife tourism land uses (ii) contribution of existing livelihood strategies to household incomes, (iii) potential for tourism development and (iv) trade-offs in net revenues between different options for land use. The case study areas was Mhinga, one of the rural areas within the Great Limpopo TFCA in South Africa. The study area is situated on the north-western border of Kruger National Park (KNP), next to the Punda Maria park gate. Results showed that the costs by wildlife related damage such as livestock depredation and diseases, were higher than the benefits in employment and subsidies from the park for households. As a consequence attitudes towards wildlife by farmers were generally negative. There was also no mechanism to compensate households incurring wildlife damage. Households living closer to the park had more problems with wildlife damage. When the contribution of different livelihood activities to household incomes were considered, the study found that the main sources of income were the government welfare grants, formal employment and cattle farming. Cattle farmers were not in support of introducing wildlife based land use activities as they considered them to impose costs on other livelihood activities. Some community members were however of the opinion that introducing wildlife tourism could create employment and improve household incomes, especially for those households not engaged in cattle farming. When preferences of tourists, towards supporting forms of ecotourism outside the KNP were analysed, through a choice experiment approach, the study found that tourists were interested in village tours and crafts markets, but generally reluctant to use accommodation facilities outside the park. Analysis of options for land based development at the interface showed that existing land use practices were not optimal. The model results indicate that, by introducing irrigation, tourism and wildlife land uses, net revenues from land could be doubled in the future. It is concluded that, given the socioeconomic and bio-physical constraints characteristic to the area, most income can be obtained by combining all four land uses in the area in optimal proportions. Factors such as property rights, and benefits distribution which could impact the ability of rural communities in the TFCA to support, utilize and benefit from wildlife resources need to be addressed before any land use changes are implemented

A factor analysis of access to and use of service infrastructure amongst emerging farmers in South Africa

While many studies have identified infrastructure as a constraints to production in agriculture in South Africa, few have attempted to investigate the extent to which emerging farmers are able to access and utilise infrastructure services. This paper uses data collected from 500 emerging farmers across the nine provinces of South Africa to determine the accessibility and use of infrastructure by emerging farmers. Factor Analysis was applied on fifteen indicators of infrastructure. The principal components extraction method extracted four factors, namely distance to services infrastructure, tarred road conditions to the services infrastructure, visitation to general services infrastructure and agricultural support services infrastructure. The results show that services infrastructure is generally more accessible to emerging farmers than before. The factors that determine the accessibility to infrastructure services include the distance of the nearest town from the villages, the state of the roads that farmers use and the frequency of visits to the nearest town. The distance to services infrastructure is segregated from condition and usage. The results indicate that all services are in a more or less similar location and in similar condition in terms of access. The implication of this study is that policy should address farmers’ access to services, which are sometimes in bundles, and the role of locating services in centres is pertinent as it stimulates agricultural and rural development.Farm Management,

Modelling calving and off-take rate risk: Case study of the Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) livestock scheme, South Africa

Modelling of production risk is usually not integrated in the planning of livestock development projects. The objective of the study was to measure the impact of the Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) livestock development scheme on calving and off-take rates as outputs, as well as variability of the output (risk). Data was collected from 164 KyD-scheme participant and 81 non-participants. A Just-Pope Production function was the theoretical framework utilised, with data analysed using Ordinary Least Squares. Results show that calving risk for KyD-scheme participants was 83.5% lower than that of non-scheme participants. Access to veterinary and dipping services increased calving risk for non-scheme participants, while frequency of extension contact reduced calving risk for scheme participants. Off-take risk for non-scheme participants was twice that for scheme participants. Distances to market and herd size reduced off-take risk for non-scheme participants, whilst herd size, frequency of extension contact, distances to market, access to veterinary services and membership to farmer organization reduced the same risk for KyD-scheme participants. Farm income was a risk-increasing determinant for scheme participants. The study concludes that participating in the KyD-scheme reduces production risk, and recommends that risk reduction attributes of the scheme should be integrated in program planning and implementation. Key words: calving rate, off-take rate, risk, Just Pope production function, Livestock Development Program. JEL Codes: O220, Q120, Q160, Q18

Cattle Farming at the Wildlife/Livestock Interface: Assessment of Costs and Benefits Adjacent to Kruger National Park, South Africa

This study examined the extent and magnitude of cattle loss to wildlife depredation and diseases and also considered the benefits from the park for households adjacent to Kruger National Park. Data were from interviews with 540 randomly sampled households, inspection of records, and focus-group discussions. Households in villages close to the park reported higher incidence of livestock depredation (32%) than those further from the park (13%). Livestock diseases described by farmers included foot-and-mouth and heartwater. A partial budget was used to compare costs incurred and benefits derived by households. Mean annual costs of wildlife/livestock interactions, taking into account benefits associated with proximity to the park, averaged US$34 per household. Farmers viewed wildlife as an obstacle to cattle farming. Mechanisms to reduce effects of wildlife damages and increase livelihood benefits of coexistence with wildlife for households and the community are suggeste

Modelling calving and off-take rate risk: Case study of the Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) livestock scheme, South Africa

Modelling of production risk is usually not integrated in the planning of livestock development projects. The objective of the study was to measure the impact of the Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) livestock development scheme on calving and off-take rates as outputs, as well as variability of the output (risk). Data was collected from 164 KyD-scheme participant and 81 non-participants. A Just-Pope Production function was the theoretical framework utilised, with data analysed using Ordinary Least Squares. Results show that calving risk for KyD-scheme participants was 83.5% lower than that of non-scheme participants. Access to veterinary and dipping services increased calving risk for non-scheme participants, while frequency of extension contact reduced calving risk for scheme participants. Off-take risk for non-scheme participants was twice that for scheme participants. Distances to market and herd size reduced off-take risk for non-scheme participants, whilst herd size, frequency of extension contact, distances to market, access to veterinary services and membership to farmer organization reduced the same risk for KyD-scheme participants. Farm income was a risk-increasing determinant for scheme participants. The study concludes that participating in the KyD-scheme reduces production risk, and recommends that risk reduction attributes of the scheme should be integrated in program planning and implementation. Key words: calving rate, off-take rate, risk, Just Pope production function, Livestock Development Program. JEL Codes: O220, Q120, Q160, Q18

Impact Of Livestock Development Programmes On Production & Risk: Case Of The Kaonafatso Ya Dikgomo (KyD) Programme

Although Livestock Development Programmes (LDPs) increase production, their impact on production risk needs consideration, with most impact assessments in literature devoid of this. The objective of the study was to highlight the risk introduced by participating in a LDP and its impact on productivity. A cross-sectional survey of 164 Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) programme and 81 non-programme participants from KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa was utilised. Non-probability convenience sampling was used to collect primary data through a structured questionnaire. Propensity Score Matching and Monte Carlo Simulations were utilised to analyse data. The study found that the KyD programme reduces calving risk by 21.7% whilst it doubles the off-take risk. Furthermore, larger herd sizes, access to veterinary services and frequency of extension contact were risk-increasing determinants, whilst access to dipping services was risk-reducing. The study concludes that the KyD programme has significant impact on production risk. The study recommends that to reduce the risks, farmers should be encouraged to commercialise and become part of farmer organizations. The programme should also maintain a farmer-extension-contact of between 2-5 visits per month as well as target farmers within a 30km-90km radius from a market, with herd sizes of between 50-120 cattle. Key words: calving, off-take, risk, impact, Propensity Score Matching, Monte Carlo Simulation. JEL Codes: O220, Q120, Q160, Q18

Impact Of Livestock Development Programmes On Production & Risk: Case Of The Kaonafatso Ya Dikgomo (KyD) Programme

Although Livestock Development Programmes (LDPs) increase production, their impact on production risk needs consideration, with most impact assessments in literature devoid of this. The objective of the study was to highlight the risk introduced by participating in a LDP and its impact on productivity. A cross-sectional survey of 164 Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) programme and 81 non-programme participants from KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa was utilised. Non-probability convenience sampling was used to collect primary data through a structured questionnaire. Propensity Score Matching and Monte Carlo Simulations were utilised to analyse data. The study found that the KyD programme reduces calving risk by 21.7% whilst it doubles the off-take risk. Furthermore, larger herd sizes, access to veterinary services and frequency of extension contact were risk-increasing determinants, whilst access to dipping services was risk-reducing. The study concludes that the KyD programme has significant impact on production risk. The study recommends that to reduce the risks, farmers should be encouraged to commercialise and become part of farmer organizations. The programme should also maintain a farmer-extension-contact of between 2-5 visits per month as well as target farmers within a 30km-90km radius from a market, with herd sizes of between 50-120 cattle. Key words: calving, off-take, risk, impact, Propensity Score Matching, Monte Carlo Simulation. JEL Codes: O220, Q120, Q160, Q18

Reconciling interests concerning wildlife and livestock near conservation areas: A model for analysing alternative land uses

Land use decisions are central to both biodiversity conservation and rural development goals at local, national and international levels. Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs), now common in Southern Africa, present an opportunity to address these goals simultaneously. This paper proposes a theoretical spatial land allocation model that enables analysis of alternative scenarios for realising rural development and biodiversity conservation within TFCAs. The model includes socioeconomic and ecological factors such as income, fencing, connectivity, predation and disease costs and allows for clarification of opportunities and tradeoffs in land use. The model demonstrates alternative spatial options for diversification in land use, whilst accommodating the connectivity requirements and endogenous effects of wildlife on other land uses. The model is illustrated using several scenarios which include changes in key parameters, and limitations on total land allocated per land use. Illustrated scenarios show that land allocated to different land uses varies with output prices and costs such as fencing and wildlife damages, resulting in different spatial land use allocations. In addition, total revenue also changes when limitations are placed on land allocated to wildlife and tourism uses. The model can be used to reconcile interests where conservation and agricultural development activities compete for land

Productivity gains from prioritising Research and Development (R&D) investment in agricultural policy: Case of South African cling peach breeding.

Literature is awash with strategies of how the farm productivity of the smallholder agricultural sector can be transformed to equal that of the commercial sector. Policy options that have been suggested to transform smallholder agriculture have centred on increasing state financial investments in areas such as infrastructural development, mechanisation and market access. However, this paper provides a practical demonstration of how prioritising investment in research and development (R&D can achieve this goal. It particularly focuses on how consistent funding towards breeding can lead to the establishment of a strong industry that can remain productive in face of various changes in the market, production environment and institutional domains. Using the Cost-Benefit variation of the Economic Surplus Approach, the paper shows that the use of new locally bred peach varieties, as opposed to obsolete and imported varieties has yielded benefits estimated to range around R61.2 million (inflation adjusted to 2013 values). The results suggest two conclusions. First, R&D investment plays a pivotal role in enabling agricultural production to remain lucrative through various industry dynamics and will be important in the transformation of the smallholder agricultural sector. Second, increasing research investment can help countries achieve goals of economic growth in the domestic economy as the benefits of breeding investment were found to benefit local producers. Recommendations are made encouraging the prioritisation of R&D investment in all African agricultural industries as locally developed technologies are more likely to address Africa’s production problems rather than imported technologies