ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the contribution that an environmental perception study may be able to make to the improvement of agriculture in two semi-subsistence Ciskeian communities — Gobozana and Nyaniso. The attitudes of the people towards agriculture were investigated in three spheres: the preference for agriculture in relation to other socio-cultural activities and options open to them, namely religion, social occasions, local-level politics, the importance of cattle and employment in town; the perception of how production could be increased; and the perceived adequacy of field size. In practical terms a study of the image of agriculture could reveal what approaches should be adopted by extension officers or persons interested in raising the standard of production. A preliminary survey to ascertain what attitudes are held by the people and what their image of agriculture is, would appear to be a prerequisite for any development project.
