Factors influencing off-take rates of small-holder cattle farming in the North West province of South Africa

Abstract

This study investigated cattle off-take decision models for small-holder cattle producers in South Africa. The aim of the study was to provide empirical evidence on off-take decisions and contribute to the formulation of policy and development interventions to address the constraints that impede small-holder producers from participating fully in the commercial cattle industry. Cattle off-take incentives and disincentives differ among households. Off-take patterns are influenced by the socio-economic environment, asset base, husbandry practices, and access to market, institutional arrangements and extension support. The main hypothesis of the study was that off-take decisions of small-holder cattle producers depend on an interface between production practices and socio-economic factors. A sample of 308 small-holder cattle producers participated in a survey to test this hypothesis. Variations in cattle off-take are mainly associated with the household’s livelihoods needs and alternatives even though the attitude of the market may contract or expand participation. Principal component analysis was used to identify the main factors underlying this intricate relationship between the household dynamics and cattle off-take. The demographic analysis showed that older persons who have passed the prime age of forty dominate the study area. Taung North extension ward had both the highest proportion of women as well as small herds and generally women operated smaller herds than men. Men tended to keep indigenous breed types and reported lower mortality rates. Men also belonged to and held office in community associations, which was positively correlated with herd productivity. Results of principal component analysis showed that herd size had the most influence on cattle off-take. Owners of small herds sell the highest proportion of their herds, resort to the sale of sheep, and engage in small businesses to supplement cattle income, which suggests that income from these sales may be insufficient to meet the needs of these households. These sales are compounded with high mortality resulting in extremely high herd exits that lead to herd shrinkage. Diseases were mainly liable for most stock losses in the study area, which requires elevated attention. The farmer’s cattle rearing objective was the second most important factor underlying cattle off-take in the study area. Farmers whose main objective was to build wealth by keeping cattle, depended on cattle income and sold more animals to achieve this objective. Poor herd performance especially calving rates was the third most important factor influencing cattle off-take rates in the study area. Low calving rates pose a high risk to the sustainability of small-holder cattle businesses in the study area. In most instances, farmers who experienced low calving rates, depended on non-farm income such as social grants to meet their household needs. There is an urgent need for an introduction of record keeping as part of cattle production in the study area, to monitor the productivity of breeding cows. Results also showed that current extension modalities such as mass and farmer-to-farmer extension suppressed herd off-take in the study area. It seems that extension messages are generally devoid of entrepreneurship and efforts to instill a commercial orientation among small-holder farmers. This implies that there is a need for a new paradigm of focusing on improved off-take as the ultimate goal of cattle production. This study has identified several constraints, which need to be addressed in order to improve herd productivity and off-take rates in the study area. Proposed solutions for empowering vulnerable groups such as women and the youth require rural development and land reform policy interventions while the improvement of general productivity requires a focused extension intervention programme.