The household, economic differentiation and agricultural production in Shixini, Transkei

Abstract

Vital factors in understanding agricultural production in ‘homeland’ areas are the way in which productive resources are distributed in the community and the structure and constitution of the household. Based on an intensive survey of 22 households in Shixini, Transkei. this paper investigates the relationship between stock, consumer and work units, and the area of arable land and maize yield. it is found that the household's access to stock is the most important variable in determining maize yields. Draught cattle, in particular, give households access to a ready source of fertiliser and to membership of ploughing companies. This paper underlines the importance of stock keeping as a variable in understanding agricultural production and economic differentiation.

Notes

Assistant researcher, Environmental Studies Division, NIPR, Johannesburg.