ISSN 2756-326X
Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 3 (7), pp. 001-008, July, 2017. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Potential for value- addition of Nguni cattle products in the communal areas of South Africa: A review
Cletos Mapiye1*, Michael Chimonyo1, Voster Muchenje1, Kennedy Dzama2, Munyaradzi C. Marufu1 and Jan. G. Raats1
1Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.
2Department of Animal Sciences, Stellenbosch University, P. Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.
Accepted 08 March, 2017
Abstract
This review focuses on challenges and possible interventions to improve the value of Nguni cattle products in the communal areas of South Africa. There is a general lack of adapted genetic material suited to the needs of the resource-poor cattle producers in South Africa. Nguni cattle are well suited to the management levels of communal farmers who require disease resistant multipurpose animals with low-maintenance feed requirements and relatively high-output. Developmental efforts to reintroduce the Nguni breed initiated in most rural areas of South Africa, especially in the Eastern Cape are reviewed. The possibility of selecting Nguni cattle for specific production traits and develop them into single-purpose herds is evaluated. It is recommended that development and research programmes aimed at reintroducing the Nguni breed in the rural areas should take a holistic and participatory approach in improving the value of Nguni cattle products.
Key words: Draught power, hides, meat, milk, Nguni cattle, value-addition.