African agricultural adaptability: proceedings of the first federal science congress
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Date
1960
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Fosbrooke
Abstract
Workers in the agricultural field are often driven to despair by the slowness with which the African peasant responds to suggested changes in his agricultural techniques. It is wondered, however, whether this is any more than the innate conservatism of peasantry which is to be found throughout the world, for a study of African agriculture techniques reveals that when circumstances have necessitated change this has come about and enabled the group to “survive.
Numerous cases could be cited from Central Africa as for instance, the chitemcne system as practised by the Bemba of Northern Rhodesia, and described by numerous; authors, particularly Richards (1939). or again the Barotse system which was described in a study by Gluckman (1941) and in further detail by the late Mr. Peters, (1960). The author wishes, however, to draw particularly on his Tanganyika experience, using Tanganyika Notes and Records as the main source book.
The author (1957) at the third Pan African Congress in Livingstone described taking agriculture in its broadest sense that is inclusive of pastoralism an early example in Tanganyika of man adapting his environment to pastoralism in 1955. Briefly, on the arid plains of Central Tanganyika an unidentified race of pastoralists developed a system of transhumance to a fine art. They discovered and improved permanent water supplies as for instance in the deep wells of Naberera and at the same time ensured that the best use was made of the pasture which lay beyond the grazing radius of such permanent waters. Cattle keepers throughout the world practise the technique by taking their stock to drink from temporary streams or impermanent water holes, but these early pastoralists built artificial rain-ponds some of which are still in use today. The principles involved, of improved water supplies, both temporary and permanent, and rotational grazing are those now being actively applied in pastoral areas throughout the world, with the aid of bulldozers, mechanical pumps and pasture research scientists.
Description
Available in print form, EAF Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library (EAF FOS F78.A3)
Keywords
agricultural, African peasant, pastoralism, pasture
Citation
Fosbrooke, Henry A , (1960) African agricultural adaptability: proceedings of the first federal science congress