Agricultural Production at Tshiombo

This chapter presents survey findings on aspects of agricultural activity at Tshiombo for the agricultural year 1994/1995, including land usage, the types and volumes of crops grown, methods of ploughing, agricultural labour, purchased inputs, marketing of agricultural produce and the role of the govern-ment extension service. It examines the wide disparities between plot-holders in terms of agricultural output and attempts to explain these in terms of the different assets, income, cropping strategies and demographic composition of households in the sample. Crop production at Tshiombo is based on a two-phase cycle - that is, summer and winter, or rainy and dry seasons - although not all households grow crops in both seasons. The irrigation system and the range of agricultural services available at Tshiombo have allowed plot-holders on the scheme to expand the range of crops, extend the growing season and generally intensify production compared to dryland farmers in other parts of Venda.