1
Quasi-formalization of informal land markets
in communal areas to facilitate increased arable
production A case study of Thaba Nchu, Free
State Province
M.N.Baiphethi, S. Manona, M.F. Viljoen G.
Kundhlande
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Background

• WRC funding a 5 year research project in rural
  villages around Thaba Nchu Social and economic
  factors affecting the adoption of rainwater
  harvesting and conservation practices.
• The project follows on other WRC funded projects
  in the same area that aimed at the improving
  arable production through the use of IRWH
  techniques developed by ARC-ISCW
• The success of IRWH on homestead gardens, led the
  community embarking on a drive to extend
  (upscale) the technique to the arable fields
• A soils analysis (soilscape) of the arable fields
  was undertaken (Hensley et al., 2007).
• Arable soil survey found suitable area of land
  was 1,177 ha in Gladstone and 183 ha in Feloane
  and Potsane.

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Objectives

• Develop a land register for all high potential
  arable land in the villages of Potsane, Feloane
  and Gladstone
• Provide accurate information and clarity on land
  sizes, land rights on all arable fields
• To provide a tool that will be understood by
  community members in support of local land
  administration systems

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Methodology/processes

• Initial consultation with statutory bodies,
• Initial consultation with the community,
• Tache Survey and creation of a land register
• Final consultation and development of rules and
  regulations

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Land register
Code Ownership Size (Ha)
23 Moipone Ntono 3.58
24 Ben Mothupi 12.23
25 Ben Mothupi 3.13
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Land utilization
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Interest in land exchanges
In favour of land exchange. Reason Frequency (N) Percentage ()
1. In support of land exchange agreements 54 68
Not interested in arable production. 1 2
Too old to work the fields. 8 19
Household unable to cultivate fields. 25 60
Assist those without arable fields. 8 19
Total 42 100
2. Against Land exchange agreements 25 32
Interested to use the field 21 95
Afraid to lose rights to arable land 1 5
Total 22 100
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Land exchange arrangements and duration
Arrangement Frequency (N) Proportion of total sample ()
Sale 2 3
Lease 5 6
Share-cropping 36 46
Free loan 12 15
Total 55 70
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Processes and structures
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Conclusions

• General willingness to extend cultivation to
  arable fields
• 70 of the land rights holders will participate
  in land exchange arrangements.
• Outright sale (3),
• Lease arrangement (6),
• Share-cropping (46)
• Free loan (15) .
• Therefore scope for vibrant rural land market
• Development or rules and regulations to effect
  the innovation

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Acknowledgements

• Financial support from the WRC
• TIPS for funding participation in this conference