International Meeting on Soil Fertility Land Management and Agroclimatology. Turkey, 2008. p:627-646 627 Indigenous Knowledge and Approaches of Soil Fertility Management among Small Scale Farmers in Semi-Arid Areas of South Africa Simeon Albert Materechera Crop Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Science & Technology, North-West University (Mafikeng Campus), P/B X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, Republic of South Africa Tel/fax: +27183843806; E-mail: Albert.Materechera@nwu.ac.za ABSTRACT As is the case with many other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, crop production among small scale farmers, especially those in semi-arid regions of South Africa, is hampered by predominance of extreme climate (low, irregular & erratic rainfall), low inherent soil fertility and low use of mineral fertilizers. However, the small scale farmers have developed a range of indigenous knowledge and practices which have played a pivotal role in the management of soil fertility for sustaining crop productivity. This study sought to establish and document these strategies in four farming districts located in semi-arid areas of the country. It was found that farmers use locally adaptable and cost effective strategies including animal manure, ash from veld fire, agroforestry, fallow, termitaria, and earthworm castings to manage soil fertility. Some of these strategies were applied in specific niche locations and soils, times and crops. Furthermore, the farmers have developed local knowledge and criteria of classifying manure quality based on characteristics such as colour, wetness, presence of moulds and sand content that are used to make soil fertility management decisions. Analyses of samples of some of the organic resources used for soil fertility management confirmed their superior plant nutrient contents. The study concluded that research endeavors should recognize and build upon this wealth of indigenous knowledge and practices of soil fertility management by small scale farmers in these marginal environments of the country. Keywords: Indigenous knowledge; nutrient management; semi-arid areas; small scale farmers; soil fertility, soil nutrients INTRODUCTION The sub-Saharan Africa is the only region of the world where per capita food production has remained stagnant for a long time (Sanchez, 2002). The majority of the resource poor people in this region reside in rural areas and agriculture is the principal economic sector upon which they depend for their livelihoods. Africa’s food security is directly related to insufficient total food production. Low agricultural production results in low income, poor nutrition, low consumption, poor education, poor health and lack of empowerment (CIAT, TSBF & ICRAF, 2002). Although the low crop productivity is due to many factors, however, decline in soil fertility is considered to be one of the major factors for this situation (Smaling and Braun, 1996; Sanchez, et al., 1997). Soil fertility status is the foundation of cropping system productivity in the smallholder agriculture sector of Southern Africa (Snapp, 1998). Depletion of soil fertility often results in low yields which threatens household food security.