Abstract:
The study was conducted in Alice, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The objective of this study was
to evaluate farmers’ perceptions on the impact of Vachellia karroo encroachment on livestock
production and vegetation. Forty farmers (62% females and 38% males) were interviewed using semistructured
questionnaires. The results showed that goats and cattle were mainly kept for cash sales
and sheep for wool production. Shortage of forage and lack of water points were the main constraints
to livestock production, especially during the dry season. Cattle and sheep owners perceived that V.
karroo encroachment had a negative impact on grazer production, as it reduces the grazing capacity of
the veld. Goat owners viewed V. karroo as an acceptable tree to goats and its abundance favours
browsers as compared to grazers. Although farmers have different views concerning the impact of V.
karroo encroachment. The mean of livestock composition showed that goats (11.6±1.3) are more
favoured by the veld condition compared to cattle (4.9± 1.1) and sheep (2.6±0.7). This study concludes
that V. karroo had a negative impact on grazers’ production and sheep and cattle owners observed V.
karroo encroachment as a form of land degradation. Pastoralists recommended that veld burning and
bush clearing can be used to mitigate encroachment.
