Cactusnet: Promoting the social and ecological benefits of cactus production: Cactus Pear in South Africa: History, challenges and potential

Abstract

Given the fear of potential invasions by cacti, there is resistance among government officials and farmers to promote the use of spineless Cactus Pear varieties in South Africa. This presents a missed opportunity to utilize a high yielding, sustainable, water-efficient crop as a source of fodder for livestock. Recent developments also suggest this plant could be harvested and processed for human consumption, providing an extra source of income for rural communities