Implications of the breakdown in the indigenous knowledge system for rangeland management and policy: a case study from the Eastern Cape in South Africa

Abstract

Communal rangelands inSouth Africa are generally perceived as overgrazed owing to complexities in their histories and collective utilisation which often leads to improper management. A suitable solution has not been found in land management policies because local people's contexts and their indigenous knowledge are ignored. Hence, this paper is aimed at (i) assessing the role indigenous knowledge can play in communal rangeland management, (ii) exploring working solutions to incorporate indigenous knowledge into effective communal rangeland management and land use policies, (iii) assessing mechanisms for generational transfer of indigenous knowledge. Findings from the Participatory Geographic Information System (PGIS) and Focus Group Discussion, conducted with Cata and Guquka villages in the Eastern Cape province were synthesised. This revealed that communal farmers have in-depth knowledge of their communal land, past and present rangeland management strategies and changes in rangeland condition. However, there is breakdown in the indigenous knowledge system whereby this knowledge is not being transferred and translated into good rangeland management practice, owing to the ageing population of communal farmers, limited youth involvement in livestock farming and limited access to extension services. This suggests a need for new policy approaches that would include participation of local people in policy planning and development.

African Rangelands and Pastoralism in a changing continent: Perspectives and Opportunities

“…These studies point out the opportunities to adapt herd composition and management to changes in vegetation and soil condition and to use this information to inform restoration and livestock nutrition. Finca et al (2023) reported a case study, which found that communal farmers from the Eastern Cape in South Africa have in-depth indigenous and spatial knowledge about the management and changes in condition of their rangelands. However, because of ageing communal farmers, limited youth participation, and declines in agricultural extension services, this knowledge is increasingly not being incorporated to ensure effective communal rangeland management.…”

“…Both these studies outline that there is great value in indigenous knowledge and opportunities exist to use this knowledge to improve rangeland and livestock farming. Finca et al (2023) highlight the opportunity for agricultural extension to assist with the knowledge flow amongst communal farmers and aid in the generational transfer of indigenous knowledge. Both these two studies embrace the use of new technologies and modern science that farmers can either incorporate into their indigenous knowledge and training or to identify the potential forages for cattle feeding in free-range beef farming.…”

“…The ten papers included in this special issue demonstrate the multiple facets of rangelands and pastoralism, ranging from spatiotemporal changes in rangeland dynamics(Arena et al 2023;Mlaza et al 2023;Momberg et al 2023), pastoralists' indigenous knowledge(Finca et al 2023: Nyambali et al 2023) and rangeland management innovations and policy(Anane et al 2023;Maguraushe et al 2023;Mwamidi et al 2023;Scholtz et al 2023;Timpong- Jones et al 2023). …”