Soil erosion and indigenous land management: some socio-economic considerations

The problem of soil erosion in Swaziland is reviewed in the context of land management of communal grazing lands. Aspects of farm operations, cropping patterns and range management are considered in a typical Swazi traditional land management scenario. The location of farm plots, existing land tenure arrangements, farmers' awareness of the erosion problem and available expert advice on land management are analysed in the context of results of a questionnaire survey. It is concluded that land tenure conditions constrain land management, while the social stigma on livestock ownership and limited advice on soil conservation constrain positive measures toward erosion control. Most constraints are beyond the control of individual land users.