This study, which was the first attempt to evaluate the effects of the Ncora project on participating farmers, showed that the management was top‐down with decisions and most farming operations being carried out by the management agency. Consequently knowledge and management standards were considerably below optimum. Although the majority of commercial farmers were literate, this applied to only about 40 per cent of the other participants. Except for the commercial farmers, most of the participants were women, and labour shortages were experienced by two in five respondents. Scheme participants have benefited in household mobility, health, intake of proteins and vegetables, nutrition and income derived from farming. The unit sizes were acceptable to most participants and the majority still preferred traditional technology. Leadership in the project was weak and there was little empowerment of the local community or contact with sources of information. Suggestions are made for further investments in human capital through extension training, literacy and institutional development.

An understanding of the various practices was the most important of the various human factors affecting adoption of cotton practices as recommended. Availability of financial resources as well as entrepreneurial ability in turn affected innovativeness and yield per hectare. Less than half of the farmers who adopted practices were implementing them according to recommendations and many did not have a clear concept that practices were inter‐related. There is a need to select farmers on the basis of farming knowledge, resources and managerial ability. There is also a need to upgrade extension services aimed at improving farming knowledge and skills and to create opportunities for greater farmer participation, as well as to improve the integration of research, technology development, support services, extension and farmers if cotton production is to offer an alternative to wage employment.

The study focuses on maize technology transfer in a typical homeland maize‐growing area. Two thirds of maize growers were women. Thirty per cent of producers were over 60 years of age, 20 per cent were illiterate and 50‐60 per cent were living in varying states of poverty. There was insufficient contact and intensity of contact with all sources of farming information. The ‘trickle down’ process from progressive to less progressive farmers has been unsuccessful. Less than half of the farmers were implementing practices according to proven recommendations. This was related to a lack of knowledge. Most farmers did not realise that all practices were interrelated, resulting in below optimum yields. Innovativeness was explained by greater farming resources, farming knowledge, contact with information sources and level of education, while yield per ha was also explained by greater farming resources, as well as the presence of the male head of household and contact with extension workers. Farming populations are not homogeneous relative to farming practices and technology has been developed to suit the more progressive farmers. Future technology transfer strategies should be based on a targeted approach to reach both progressive and low‐access and resource‐poor farmers.

SYNOPSIS On average rural women spend over two hours collecting firewood headloads of 24 kg air-dry mass comprising approximately 28 pieces of 2,40 m length with a diameter of 44 mm and a mass of 862 g. The number of headloads averaged over five per week and average per capita consumption of firewood was 1,14 tons. Women have good local knowledge of tree species collected for firewood. Acacia karoo was the most favoured species. The open fire is used for cooking two to three meals per day. Paraffin was the most favoured alternative fuel. Patterns of woodfuel usage are location specific and vary widely. Research is needed into the multiple use of woody vegetation, as well as appropriate means of conserving woodfuel.

An investigation was carried out into the particular approach used in the development of the Ncora irrigation scheme, as well as into the policy makers’ perceptions of the approach used for possible implementation and the alternatives recommended, if any. It was found that the consultants’ development plan was based on a commercialization approach, but that in the implementation, a ‘top‐down’ approach was used, possibly because of farmer reaction and/or pressure from the consultants’ employers. The respondents recommended more of a participatory approach. A model has been proposed for determining farmer needs and perceptions.

It is indeed a great honour to be invited to give the opening address at this Twenty-third Congress of the Grassland Society. It seems pertinent to review briefly grassland research, its impact on the farmer, and consider where we should be going in the future. Veld management research in Southern Africa has a proud history going back some 54 years, with the first research station being established at Toowoomba. By 1941, 47 years ago, there were 16 grassland research centres. Effectively then, we have had over 50 years of grassland research. What has been achieved? What are the problems? What needs to be done in the future? Keywords: congresses; grassland; grassland society of southern africa; management; research; southern africa; veld; veld management

This paper discusses aspects of efficiency of ruminant production in Transkei. Findings show low levels of production and reproduction and high mortality rates in a situation of deteriorating natural resources due to mismanagement and overstocking.

This paper discusses aspects of efficiency of ruminant production in Transkei. Findings show low levels of production and reproduction and high mortality rates in a situation of deteriorating natural resources due to mismanagement and overstocking.Cet article discute certains aspects de l'efficacité de la production des ruminants au Transkei. Les observations qui sont rapportées indiquent de faibles niveaux de production et de reproduction et des taux de mortalité liés liés à une situation de détérioration des ressources naturelles due à une mauvaise gestion et au surpâturage.Este artículo discute aspectos de la eficiencia productiva de rumiantes en Transkei. Los resultados evidencian los bajos niveles de producción y reproducción y la alta mortalidad encontrada, en una situación en donde el deterioro de los recursos naturales debido al sobrepastoreo es evidente.

The development of a sound communication programme for the National Grazing strategy should be based on an understanding of the characteristics of the farmer population of the area concerned. The social, socio‐demographic, socio‐economie, socio‐psychological, communication and agricultural production characteristics of the population must be identified, and then be used to formulate a communication programme. Information obtained from 153 farmers in six farming communities was used to develop an extension approach for the National Grazing Strategy.

A systems approach is used in analysing the physical, institutional, technological and human constraints to agricultural production and development in less developed areas. Suggestions are made for policy considerations, strengthening research and extension linkages, selection of target groups and key factors necessary to improve the effectiveness of agricultural extension.

Whatever aspects of institutional change are important for successful rural development, political power will inevitably be a determining issue. A strong national planning and development organisation to facilitate co‐ordination between government departments, parastatal and other organisations is essential. Coupled with this is the need for a national policy for action, with supporting services and adequate financial support. Suggestions have been put forward for decentralised, co‐ordinated and effective administrative organisations at village, district and regional level, with particular emphasis laid on village‐level participation in rural development programmes. There should be an autonomous institution for the promotion of input supplies and marketing, consistent government financing, rural infrastructure and rural service centres, all of which are essential for successful rural development. It is important that the activities of the private sector be co‐ordinated at various levels as part of the national rural development effort. A politically acceptable land tenure code with appropriate legislative and judicial support needs to be built in to a rural development strategy. It is essential that there be appropriate co‐ordination of research and extension through proper institutional mechanisms, so that it becomes an integral part of rural development planning.