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Cropland Abandonment in South African Smallholder Communal Lands: Land Cover Change (1950–2010) and Farmer Perceptions of Contributing Factors

Author

Listed:
  • Dale Blair

    (Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6139, South Africa)

  • Charlie M. Shackleton

    (Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6139, South Africa)

  • Penelope J. Mograbi

    (Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6139, South Africa)

Abstract

Despite agricultural land abandonment threatening the food security and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, it is pervasive globally and in developing countries. Yet land abandonment is an understudied aspect of land use change in social–ecological systems. Here we provide more information on this phenomenon by exploring cropland abandonment during 1950–2010 in four former South African ‘homelands’—part of the ‘Apartheid’ era racially-based land allocation programs—characterized by rural, smallholder farmers. Cropland abandonment 1950–2010 was widespread in all surveyed sites (KwaZulu: 0.08% year −1 , Transkei: 0.13% year −1 , Lebowa: 0.23% year −1 , Venda: 0.28% year −1 ), with rates peaking between 1970 and 1990, with concomitant increases (up to 0.16% year −1 ) of woody vegetation cover at the expense of grassland cover. Active and past farmers attributed cropland abandonment to a lack of draught power, rainfall variability and droughts, and a more modernized youth disinclined to living a marginal agrarian lifestyle. We discuss the potential social and ecological implications of abandoned croplands at the local and regional scales, as the deagrarianization trend is unlikely to abate considering the failure of current South African national agricultural incentives.

Suggested Citation

  • Dale Blair & Charlie M. Shackleton & Penelope J. Mograbi, 2018. "Cropland Abandonment in South African Smallholder Communal Lands: Land Cover Change (1950–2010) and Farmer Perceptions of Contributing Factors," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-20, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:7:y:2018:i:4:p:121-:d:175999
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    13. Sheunesu Ruwanza, 2020. "Topsoil Transfer from Natural Renosterveld to Degraded Old Fields Facilitates Native Vegetation Recovery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-13, May.
    14. Mugido, Worship & Shackleton, Charlie M., 2019. "The contribution of NTFPS to rural livelihoods in different agro-ecological zones of South Africa," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    15. Bethwell Moyo & Khuliso Emmanuel Ravhuhali, 2022. "Abandoned Croplands: Drivers and Secondary Succession Trajectories under Livestock Grazing in Communal Areas of South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-14, May.
    16. Yi Yu & Tingbao Xu & Tao Wang, 2020. "Outmigration Drives Cropland Decline and Woodland Increase in Rural Regions of Southwest China," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-23, November.
    17. Yumeng Wang & Jiaxu Li & Xiangzhi Kong, 2022. "What Drives Land Abandonment in Core Grain-Producing Areas? Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-19, April.
    18. Sheunesu Ruwanza, 2018. "The Edge Effect on Plant Diversity and Soil Properties in Abandoned Fields Targeted for Ecological Restoration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    19. Walter Musakwa & Shuai Wang & Fangli Wei & Olgah Lerato Malapane & Masala Makumule Thomas & Sydney Mavengahama & Hongwei Zeng & Bingfang Wu & Wenwu Zhao & Nesisa Analisa Nyathi & Zama Eric Mashimbye &, 2020. "Survey of Community Livelihoods and Landscape Change along the Nzhelele and Levuvhu River Catchments in Limpopo Province, South Africa," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-21, March.
    20. Nyarai M. Mujuru & Ajuruchukwu Obi, 2020. "Effects of Cultivated Area on Smallholder Farm Profits and Food Security in Rural Communities of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-17, April.

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