Impact of the 1980s' Land Conversion Scheme.

The article discusses the impact of the Land Conversion Scheme of the 1980s in South Africa. The scheme aimed to withdraw cash crops from marginal grain fields and establish cultivated pastures, with the goal of relieving pressure on natural grazing and improving feed supply efficiency. The scheme led to the development of new grass cultivars and reaffirmed the advantages of incorporating legumes in pasture mixtures. Crop rotation, including the rotation between legumes and perennial grasses, was also practiced and found to improve soil quality and fertility. However, overgrazing of natural veld remains a concern. The article also mentions the importance of multispecies mixtures in cultivated pastures and the role of conservation agriculture in integrating cash crop production into a holistic system. The article emphasizes the need to consider input costs and align yield targets with achievable potential in order to ensure the success of the scheme and address the financial challenges faced by farmers. [Extracted from the article]