The socio-cultural factors underpinning maize farming in Ethembeni Location,KingWilliam's Town District

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Date

2014-01-31

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Fort Hare

Abstract

Maize is the staple food for most South Africans. This means that if maize crops are damaged that will affect the food security of many South Africans. Maize is an important staple food and a source of food security in Ethembeni location. The study found that maize has multiple uses: including that local farmers (1) use maize to make local drinks as a basic ingredient (including, amarhewu and umqomboth1); (2) maize is used as food umxhaxha (a mixture of maize and pumpkin) and inkobe (maize boiled whole, i.e without being previously stamped); (3) and maize is given to livestock as feed. Local farmers also grow maize because the crop offers an avenue to raise money through which they sell at informal markets. The funds from the sale of crops are used to buy fertilizers, hire tractors and help cultivate fields. Also many people use these funds to purchase needed goods and consumables.

Description

Masters Theses

Keywords

HUMANITIES and RELIGION::History and philosophy subjects::Ethnology::Cultural anthropology

Citation

May,N.(2014).The socio-cultural factors underpinning maize farming in Ethembeni Location,KingWilliam's Town District.Alice.University of Fort Hare.