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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
21

Stock farmers and the state: a case study of animal healthcare practices in Hertzog Eastern Cape Province South Africa

Jenjezwa, Vimbai Rachel January 2010 (has links)
The animal healthcare practices of most communal farmers involve the use of both conventional and ethnoveterinary medicines. This study presents information on the animal healthcare practices of stock farmers in Hertzog, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. It also presents the findings on the social, economic and political aspects surrounding animal healthcare. The research applied two theories namely structuration theory and the Context, Practice and Belief (CPB) framework. Interviews and participant observation were used to collect data. The communal farmers widely used conventional medicines however, proper administration methods were not followed. Ethnoveterinary medicines were used to prevent and treat disease, even by the younger stock farmers. The stock farmers used ethnoveterinary medicines mainly because of the lack of finance to purchase the conventional medicines, even though the latter was preferred. The stock farmers actively participated in state programmes but felt that they needed more state veterinarian visits and state provided medications because they could not afford private veterinarians and conventional medicines. Therefore, this study attempts to contribute to an understanding of the use of ethnoveterinary medicine and communal farmers’ animal healthcare practices.
22

Impact of agricultural infrastructure on productivity of smallholder farmers in the North West Province, South Africa

Mazibuko, Ndumiso Vusumuzi 12 1900 (has links)
The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of agricultural infrastructure on agricultural productivity and agricultural income of smallholder farmers in the North West Province, South Africa. Factors that contribute to the availability, accessibility and satisfaction of smallholder farmers with regards to agricultural infrastructure were also assessed in the study. Using cross sectional data from the North West Province of South Africa, one hundred and fifty smallholder farmers were selected using stratified sampling to group farmers into those who had agricultural infrastructure and those who did not have. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, divided into six sections as follows: personal socio-economic characteristics of farmers; characteristics of the land; agricultural infrastructure of smallholder farmers; agricultural production and markets; and production activities and financial support rendered to farmers. The data were coded, captured and analysed using STATA 14.0. Data were analysed through descriptive analyses, Principal Components Analysis (PCA), Stochastic Frontier Analysis, Heckman selection procedure and Tobit Regression Models. This result revealed that most of the farmers were male, aged between 41 and 60 years of age, had contact with extension services only occasionally and did not engage in non-farming activities. Most of the smallholder farmers had less than 10 years of farming experience, had household sizes of less than or equal to five members, had about one household member assisting in the day-to-day farming activities. Most of the farmers did not belong to any farmer organisation. Generally, the farmers were involved in dry land farming. Farmers who irrigated their farms, did so on approximately 15 and 45 hectares of land. Farmers also received agricultural support from CASP and used commercial seeds, fertilizers and animal vaccines as their production inputs. Furthermore, smallholder farmers in the study area received support for inputs and majority did not have to repay for the inputs. Majority of farmers indicated that infrastructure impacted on their farming enterprises through increases in both productivity and sizes of their farming enterprises. The study found that the factors influencing agricultural income for smallholder farmers with agricultural infrastructure were: Physical infrastructure index (Coef=0.78: P<0.01); Social infrastructure availability index (Coef=0.61: P<0.01); Institutional infrastructure availability index (Coef=1.05: P<0.01); Level of education of farmers (Coef=0.96: P<0.01); Access to extension services (Coef=1.05: P<0.01); Membership of farmers’ organisations (Coef=0.59: P<0.05); Age of smallholder famers in the study area (Coef=0.05: P<0.01); and Household members assisting in farming activities (Coef=0.24: P<0.05). In terms of farmers without agricultural infrastructure available, factors influencing agricultural income were: physical infrastructure availability index (Coef = 0.74; P<0.01); social infrastructure availability index (Coef = 0.77: P<0.01); institutional infrastructure availability index (Coef = 0.61: P<0.01); level of education (Coef = 0.89: P<0.01); access to extension services (Coef=1.24: P<0.01); age of farmers (Coef = 0.06: P<0.01) and assistance of household members in farming enterprises (Coef=0.33: P<0.01). In terms of smallholder farmers with accessible agricultural infrastructure, factors influencing agricultural income were: Physical infrastructure access index (Coef=1.29: P<0.01); Social infrastructure access index (Coef=0.38: P<0.1); Equipment infrastructure access index (Coef=0.62: P<0.01); Level of education for smallholder farmers (Coef=1.21: P<0.01); Access to agricultural extension services (Coef=1.64: P<0.01); Membership of Farmers’ organisations (Coef=0.77: P<0.05); Age of smallholder farmer (Coef=0.01: P<0.01); and Household members assisting in the farming enterprises (Coef=0.39: P<0.01). With regards to smallholder farmers without accessible agricultural infrastructure, factors influencing agricultural income were: Physical infrastructure accessibility index (Coef=0.92, P<0.01); Equipment accessibility index (Coef=0.43, P<0.05); Level of education (Coef=1.25: P<0.01P); access to extension services (Coef = 1.63; P<0.01); membership of farming organisations (Coef = 0.86; p<0.01); age of farmers (Coef= 0.07; P<0.01) and assistance of household members in farming enterprises (Coef = 0.34; P<0.05). In terms of satisfaction of smallholder farmers with agricultural infrastructure, factors influencing agricultural income were: Physical infrastructure satisfaction index (Coef=0.35: P<0.1); Social infrastructure satisfaction index (Coef=0.37: P<0.1); Institutional infrastructure satisfaction index (Coef=1.25: P<0.01); Equipment infrastructure satisfaction index (Coef=1.04: P<0.01); Level of education of respondents (Coef=1.24: P<0.01); Access to extension services (Coef=1.58: P<0.01); Age of smallholder farmers in the study area (Coef=0.05: P<0.01); Number of years farming (Coef = -0.57: P<0.1); and Number of household members assisting in farming (Coef=0.19: P<0.1). The results of the Heckman selection model revealed that the variables impacting on agricultural income were: agricultural infrastructure availability index (Coef=1.12: P<0.01); and access to extension services (Coef=0.62: P<0.05). With regards to farmers not satisfied with agricultural infrastructure, factors influencing agricultural income were: institutional infrastructure satisfaction index (Coef = 0.54: P< 0.05); level of education (Coef=1.25: P<0.01); access to extension services (Coef = 1.77: P<0.01); age of farmers (Coef = 0.06: P<0.01) and assistance of household members in farming enterprises (Coef = 0.34: P<0.01). Furthermore, those impacting on agricultural production were: infrastructure satisfaction index (Coef=-1.31: P<0.01); infrastructure accessibility index (Coef=-0.59: P<0.05); Level of education of smallholder farmers (Coef=0.64: P<0.01); access to extension services (Coef=1.29: P<0.01); and membership of farmers’ organisations (Coef=0.66: P<0.01). The results of the Tobit Regression Model showed that among others factors influencing availability of agricultural infrastructure, the following variables played a critical role: assistance of household members in farming enterprise (Coef=0.702: P<0.01); farm ownership (Coef=0.962: P<0.01); farm acquisition (Coef=0.323: P<0.01) farmer occupation (Coef=0.785: P<0.01); member of farmers’ organisations (Coef=2.066: P<0.01); sources of labour (Coef=1.283: P<0.01); farming experience (Coef=0.100: P<0.01); and agricultural production inputs (Coef=-0.763: P<0.05). In terms of accessibility to agricultural infrastructure, the following variables played a critical role: engagement in non-farming activities Coef=1.275: P<0.01); contact with extension services (Coef=1.205: P<0.01); farm ownership (Coef=0.403: P<0.01); farmer occupation (Coef=0.456: P<0.01); membership of farmers’ organisations (Coef=1.111: P<0.01); sources of labour (Coef=0.653: P<0.01); farming experience (Coef=0.045: P<0.05) and land tenure (Coef=0.156: P<0.01). In terms of satisfaction with agricultural infrastructure, among other factors influencing satisfaction with agricultural infrastructure, the following variables played a critical role: organisation for extension services (Coef=1.779: P<0.01); assistance of household members in farming enterprise (Coef=0.411: P<0.01); government agricultural support to farmers (Coef=0.419: P<0.01); farm ownership (Coef=0.464: P<0.01); membership of farmers’ organisations (Coef=1.011: P<0.01); age of farmer (Coef= 0.030: P<0.01); level of education (Coef= 0.483: P<0.01); marital status (Coef=0.290: P<0.01); and gender (Coef= -0.576: P<0.01). The results of the analysis were used to close the knowledge gap with regards to the impact of agricultural infrastructure, availability, accessibility and satisfaction on the productivity and agricultural income of smallholder farmers in the North West Province. In terms of recommendations, the study highlighted that agricultural industries and government should commit in assisting smallholder farmers to be productive and to participate in economic activities. This could be achieved through collaboration with industries in implementing initiatives that assist and accelerate the development of smallholder farming and also through assisting smallholder farmers access agricultural infrastructure. / Agriculture and  Animal Health / D. Litt et Phil. (Agriculture)
23

The need for settlement support in land reform projects : focus on sustainable development

Rungasamy, Lezzane 06 1900 (has links)
South Africa, emerging from the yoke of colonialism and imperialism embarked on an ambitious land reform programme during the 1990’s. It was anticipated that land reform would take place effectively and sustainably. However, evidence to date revealed that land reform has been a failure and the cause thereof can be attributed to the lack of post settlement support. The focus of the research was to find out whether post-settlement support is the reason behind successful projects and if so to highlight the necessity of post-settlement support in land reform projects. The methodology used was through review of literature, legislations and policies on land reform and analysis of case studies. Outcome of the research indicates an intricate relationship between land reform and post-settlement support. The transfer of land to land reform beneficiaries must go hand in hand with the effective provision of post-settlement support for projects to be success and sustainable. / College of Law / LL.M
24

Contract farming model of financing smallholder farmers in South Africa : the case of the IDC-Kat River citrus development scheme

Koranteng, Kweku Yeboah 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MDF)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / The constraints that impede the growth of smallholder farmers have been attributed to lack of access to markets and technical expertise. This has led to mainstream banks classifying smallholder farmers as high risk and therefore unwilling to finance smallholder farmers. Contract farming has developed as a model that may be able to link smallholder farmers with agribusinesses who have the expertise and have built marketing channels that can be utilised by the smallholder farmers. Despite its potential to bring smallholder farmers into the mainstream agriculture industry, literature on contract farming has indicated that contract farming can be skewed in favour of the agribusiness due to their superior bargaining power and information asymmetry in favour of the agribusiness. This study examines the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)’s Kat River Development Scheme to finance nine farmers through a contract farming arrangement with Riverside (Pty) Ltd. More particularly, the study examines how this financing model contributes to improved access to finance, markets and technical expertise for the farmers. It also examines how the arrangement contributes to reducing the risk of financing smallholder farmers for IDC. The empirical analysis indicates that, despite the fact that the farmers are able to obtain access to finance, market and technical expertise, the ability for the scheme to meet its objectives in the long term is dependent on improving transparency between the agribusiness and the farmers, providing appropriate incentives for the farmers to apply the required effort and the farmers buying into the long term strategic aim (or “big picture”) of the scheme.
25

An evaluation of the performance of the Department of Agriculture in Limpopo Province in improving the livelihood of smallholder farmers during the period 1994-2004, with special reference to the Vhembe District

Sitholimela, Silas Ndwakhulu 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research work focuses on the role that the Department of Agriculture has played in the improvement of the livelihood of smallholder farmers in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, for the period 1994 to 2004. The research endeavours to determine what was done to improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers, and the extent to which smallholder farmers were developed. It determines the stage of development smallholder farmers are in after a decade of democracy. The study considers various variables that could be responsible for the good or bad performance of the Department of Agriculture in the Vhembe District. The Vhembe District was chosen because it consists of varied ecological and climatic regions, making it possible for various farming enterprises to flourish in one area. The research links the role played by the Department of Agriculture with the level of development of smallholder farmers in the District. It investigates the support that the Department of Agriculture provided through various strategic programmes, such as the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme, the Revitalisation of Smallholder Irrigation Schemes, training and development, and poverty-alleviation programmes, aimed at kick-starting micro-enterprises. The research identifies areas where the Department did not meet the expectations of the smallholder farmers regarding support. It outlines possible reasons for good and poor performance of the Department of Agriculture and its extension officers in the four local municipalities of the Vhembe District, namely Makhado, Musina, Mutale and Thulamela. This is based on data gathered through focus group discussions with various groups of farmers and extension officers. The research reveals that the budget allocation for agricultural development has never been enough to address the pressing and varied needs of smallholder farmers in the Vhembe District. The conclusion is reached that the support provided by the Department of Agriculture to improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers was inadequate. Another conclusion is that smallholder farmers are heavily reliant on the Department for almost all their farming needs. This dependency has led to many smallholder farmers not being able to creatively initiate any action that would ultimately empower them to become selfreliant. However, the research shows that a small percentage of farmers have realised the need to become independent in order to avoid lifelong dependency on the Department of Agriculture. The researcher concludes that, after a decade of democracy, there is still a great need for the Department’s support in order to improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers. There is also a need to conduct a skills audit, which will help the Department to place officials according to their areas of expertise, and to capacitate officials who may be lacking some skills through various capacity-building programmes. The research revealed that there may be officials who are morally corrupt in their behaviour and conduct. This has resulted in inefficiency and poor service delivery to farmers. On the other hand there are officials who perform exceptionally well and whose behaviour is beyond reproach. The researcher concludes that these exceptional performers should be recognised and rewarded for their good performance, while those with unsatisfactory performance should be dealt with according to the disciplinary code and procedures of the public service. The need is identified to channel resources to smallholder farmers who will utilise them effectively. This would promote self-sufficiency in the long term. In channelling these resources, the Department should also consider the promises made, with the view to fulfil them as far as possible. The researcher concludes that in order for smallholder farmers to realise their potential they have to change their lives through agriculture. They need to become more organised in order to speak with one voice. They also need to participate in secondary agriculture, where they are able to access more markets, not only as producers but as agro-processors as well. With appropriate and consistent support by the Department of Agriculture in the Vhembe District, smallholder farmers’ livelihood could be improved, which will lead to economic development of the local municipality, the district, the province and ultimately South Africa as a whole. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsingstudie fokus op die rol wat die Departement Landbou gespeel het in die verbetering van die lewensbestaan van kleinboere in die Vhembe-distrik, Limpopo, vir die tydperk 1994 tot 2004. Die navorsing poog om te bepaal wat gedoen is om die lewensbestaan van kleinboere te verbeter, en in watter mate daar tot die ontwikkeling van kleinboere bygedra is. Daar word ook bepaal in watter ontwikkelingsfase kleinboere hulle ná ’n dekade van demokrasie bevind. Die studie ondersoek verskeie veranderlikes wat vir die goeie of swak prestasie van die Departement Landbou in die Vhembe-distrik verantwoordelik kan wees. Die Vhembe-distrik is gekies omdat dit uit verskillende ekologiese en klimaatstreke bestaan, wat verskeie boerdery-ondernemings in staat stel om in een gebied te gedy. Die navorsing veronderstel ’n verband tussen die rol van die Departement Landbou en die ontwikkelingsvlak van kleinboere in die distrik. Dit ondersoek die steun wat die Departement Landbou deur middel van verskeie strategiese programme gebied het, soos die Program vir Omvattende Landbou-ondersteuning, die Opknapping van Kleinboerbesproeiingskemas, opleiding en ontwikkeling, en programme vir die verligting van armoede, wat daarop gemik is om stukrag aan mikro-ondernemings te verleen. Die navorsing identifiseer gebiede waarop die Departement Landbou nie aan kleinboere se verwagtinge ten opsigte van steun voldoen het nie. Dit verskaf moontlike redes vir die goeie of swak prestasie van die Departement en sy voorligtingsbeamptes in die Vhembedistrik se vier plaaslike munisipaliteite, naamlik Makhado, Musina, Mutale en Thulamela. Dit is gegrond op data wat deur middel van fokusgroep-besprekings met verskeie groepe boere en voorligtingsbeamptes verkry is. Die navorsing toon dat die begrotingstoewysing vir landbou-ontwikkeling nog nooit genoeg was om aan die dringende en verskillende behoeftes van kleinboere in die Vhembe-distrik te voldoen nie. Die navorser maak die gevolgtrekking dat die steun van die Departement Landbou nie voldoende was om die lewensbestaan van kleinboere te verbeter nie. ’n Verdere gevolgtrekking is dat kleinboere vir byna al hulle boerderybehoeftes van die departement afhanklik is. Hierdie afhanklikheid lei daartoe dat menige kleinboere nie in staat is om enige kreatiewe optrede te inisieer wat hulle eindelik sal bemagtig om selfstandig te word nie. Die navorsing toon egter dat ’n klein persentasie boere besef het dat hulle onafhanklik moet word om lewenslange afhanklikheid van die Departement Landbou te vermy. Die navorser kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat, ná ’n dekade van demokrasie, daar steeds ’n groot behoefte aan steun van die departement ten opsigte van die verbetering van kleinboere se lewensbestaan is. Daar is ook ’n behoefte aan ’n vaardighede-oudit wat die departement sal help om amptenare na gelang van hulle kundigheidsgebied te plaas, en om deur verskeie kapasiteitsbou-programme daardie amptenare wat sekere vaardighede kortkom, op te bou. Die navorsing het onthul dat daar moontlik amptenare is wat moreel korrup in gedrag en optrede is. Dit het ondoeltreffendheid en swak dienslewering aan boere tot gevolg. Tog is daar amptenare wat besonder goed presteer en wie se gedrag bo verdenking is. Die navorser is van mening dat hierdie goeie presteerders erkenning moet ontvang en vir hulle goeie prestasie beloon moet word, en dat diegene wat ontoereikend presteer ingevolge die staatsdiens se dissiplinêre kode en prosedures hanteer moet word. Daar is ’n behoefte om hulpbronne te kanaliseer na kleinboere wat doeltreffend daarvan gebruik sal maak. Dit sal op die lang termyn selfvoorsiening bevorder. In hierdie opsig moet die departement poog om die beloftes wat hulle gemaak het, so ver moontlik na te kom. Die navorser kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat, vir kleinboere om hulle potensiaal te verwesenlik, hulle hul lewens deur landbou moet verander. Hulle moet beter georganiseer wees sodat hulle uit een mond kan praat. Hulle moet ook by sekondêre landbou betrokke raak waar hulle toegang tot Met die gepaste en konsekwente steun van die Departement Landbou in die Vhembedistrik kan die lewensbestaan van kleinboere verbeter word, wat ekonomiese ontwikkeling van die plaaslike munisipaliteit, die distrik, die provinsie en eindelik Suid- Afrika as geheel tot gevolg sal hê.
26

The implementation of broad-based black economic empowerment strategies in the Overberg Agri Group of Companies

Ladouce, Brett Louis 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Broad-Based Economic Empowerment Act, No. 53 of 2003, and its Codes of Good Practice on Black Economic Empowerment are the cornerstones of a strategy implemented by the South African government to transform the economy to an inclusive one where all citizens have equal opportunities to contribute to the economic growth of the country. The process of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment has a direct impact on the operational activities of all businesses in all business sectors, including the agricultural sector. The main aim of this study is to compile a comprehensive Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment strategy for Overberg Agri Limited. The strategy is based on the implementation of initiatives aimed at compliance with the seven pillars of black economic empowerment as incorporated in the Codes of Good Practice on Black Economic Empowerment. A critical analysis of the legislative framework and executive governmental decrees governing Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment shows that the government of South Africa followed a structured legislative approach to the drafting and implementation of legislation aimed at creating an equitable society by addressing the inter-related issues of human rights, employment equity, skills development, allocation of natural resources and black economic empowerment. Overberg Agri Limited partially addressed its significant non-compliance with the Generic BEE Scorecard by entering into an agreement with Thembeka Capital. However, this transaction only addressed the ownership requirement of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment and had a limited effect on enhancing the black economic empowerment status of Overberg Agri Limited. Overberg Agri can achieve its goal of Level 4 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment status by: • Reorganising its business structure in terms of core agricultural and non-core business activities; • Selling significant stakes in non-core business entities to black shareholders; • Entering into other joint ventures with black businesses; • Addressing all seven elements of the B-BBEE scorecard and making the required resources available for this. This research report provides value due to the fact that it adequately addresses the research problem. It also followed the proposed research procedure in addressing the research problem and it provides the foundation for a general application of its findings. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Breëbasis Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtigingswet, Nr. 53 van 2003, en die generiese kodes vir goeie praktyk ten opsigte van swart ekonomiese bemagtiging vorm die hoekstene van die strategie wat deur die Suid-Afrikaanse regering geïmplementeer is om die ekonomie te omskep in 'n inklusiewe een waar alle landsburgers gelyke geleenthede gegun word om 'n bydrae te lewer tot die ekonomiese groei van die land. Die proses van Breëbasis Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtiging het 'n direkte invloed op die operasionele bedrywighede van alle besighede in al die besigheidsektore, insluitend die landbousektor. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie is om 'n omvattende Breëbasis Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtigingstrategie vir Overberg Agri Beperk op te stel. Die strategie is gebaseer op die implementering van inisiatiewe wat gemik is op voldoening aan die vereistes van die sewe pilare van swart ekonomiese bemagtiging soos uiteengesit in die generiese kodes vir goeie praktyk vir swart ekonomiese bemagtiging. 'n Kritiese analise van die wetgewende raamwerk en uitvoerende regeringsbesluite wat 'n invloed het op Breëbasis Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtiging dui aan dat die Suid-Afrikaanse regering 'n gestruktureerde wetgewende benadering gevolg het in die opstel en implementering van wetgewing wat daarop gemik is om 'n regverdige samelewing te skep deur aandag te skenk aan die interafhanklike kwessies van menseregte, gelyke indiensneming, vaardigheidsontwikkeling, toekenning van natuurlike hulpbronne en swart ekonomiese bemagtiging. Overberg Agri Beperk het sy aansienlike gebrek aan voldoening aan die voorskrifte van die generiese swart bemagtigingstelkaart gedeeltelik aangespreek deur 'n ooreenkoms met Thembeka Capital aan te gaan. Die transaksie skenk egter slegs aandag aan die eienaarskapvereiste van Breëbasis Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtiging en het 'n beperkte uitwerking op die verhoging van die swart ekonomiese bemagtigingstatus van Overberg Agri Beperk gehad. Overberg Agri Beperk kan sy teiken van Vlak 4 Breëbasis Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtigingstatus bereik deur: • Sybesigheid struktuur te herstruktureer ten opsigte van kern- en nie-kernbesigheidsaktiwiteite; • Aansienlike aandeelhouding van nie-kernbesigheidsentiteite aan swart aandeelhuers te verkoop; • Gesamentlike ondernemings met swart besighede te begin; • Aandag te skenk aan al sewe elemente van die Breëbasis Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtigingtelkaart en die hulpbronne beskikbaar te stel wat daarvoor benodig word. Die ondersoekverslag is van waarde aangesien dit die ondersoekvraag volledig aanspreek, die voorgestelde ondersoekprosedure gevolg het en 'n basis skep vir die algemene toepassing van die bevindinge.
27

The development of a methodology to evaluate business plans for land reform projects in the Western Cape with special emphasis on LRAD grant supported projects

Lombard, Christoffel 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MDF)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The main purpose of this study was to develop a methodology to evaluate business plans which support governmental grants to emerging farmers in the Winelands area of the Western Cape. The study focuses primarily on two types of emerging farmer groups namely (i) farm equity groups and (ii) individual farmers (less than 10 members per farm). Empowering disadvantaged people is exceedingly complex, therefore it is of paramount importance to compile a detailed and comprehensive business plan based on a proper feasibility study. If a project is not feasible on paper it will rarely succeed in practice. Four LRAD business plans per group were evaluated and have been scored against a contents list, which was compiled from an ideal farm business plan. This was followed up with a questionnaire to evaluate the current situation on the farms and to test the understanding of the business plan and its elements with the beneficiaries. There is a clear distinction in the quality of business plans between the equity scheme land reform models and individual farmer’s business plans. The quality of the equity farmer’s business plan was in most cases around 25 percent better compared to those of the individual farmers. The result of the study shows that there is a direct link between the quality of the business plan and the sustainability of the projects. Lower scored individual farmer projects under review, struggle to stay afloat with a weak cash flow as their main drawback. On the other hand the better scored equity scheme projects are much more sustainable; however more focus needs to be placed on developing the shareholders in the understanding of the financial side and land ownership principals. The author is of the opinion that only feasible projects must receive grant funding and this should be supported by good mentorship policies from government. South Africa can no longer afford “social business plans” in the land reform process; there is a need for sound farm business plans as a very important first step to feasible and sustainable farming ventures. The methodology developed in this study could become a valuable tool for government departments for directly measuring the quality of business plans and thereby indirectly the feasibility of land reform projects. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie was om 'n metodiek te ontwikkel waarmee plaas besigheidsplanne geёalueer kan word vir die aansoek van skenkings (“grant”) fondse vir opkomende boere in die Kaapse Wynlandarea. Die studie fokus hoofsaaklik op twee tipes groepe, naamlik (i) plaas aandele skema groepe en (ii) individuele boere (minder as 10 lede per plaas). Die bemagtiging van opkomende boere is baie kompleks, daarom is dit baie belangrik om 'n gedetailleerde en omvattende besigheidsplan, gegrond op' n behoorlike ondersoek na die haalbaarheid, daar te stel. As 'n projek op papier nie haalbaar is nie, gaan dit nie sommer suksesvol wees in die praktyk nie. Vier LRAD besigheidsplanne per groep is geëvalueer teen 'n inhoudslys wat vanaf ‘n ideale plaas besigheidsplan saamgestel is. Dit is opgevolg met 'n vraelys om die huidige situasie op die plase te evalueer en die begrip van die besigheidsplan en sy elemente te toets. ‘n Duidelike kwaliteits verskil kan gesien word tussen die aandeel skema boere -en individuele boere se besigheidsplanne. Die gehalte van die aandeel skema boere se planne was in die meeste gevalle ongeveer 25 persent beter as dié van die individuele boere. Die studie kan 'n direkte lyn trek tussen die besigheidsplan inligting en die volhoubaarheid van die projekte. Die individuele boere- projekte onder oorsig sukkel om kop bo water te hou met 'n swak kontantvloei as hulle belangrikste nadeel. Aan die ander kant, is die aandeleskema projekte baie meer volhoubaar, maar meer fokus moet geplaas word op die ontwikkeling van die aandeelhouers se begrip van die finansiële kant van die boerdery asook eienaarskap op die plaas. Die tyd het aangebreek dat slegs haalbare projekte befonds moet word en dat die regering hierdie projekte moet ondersteun met goeie mentorskap beleid. Daar is nie meer plek vir "sosiale besigheids planne" in die Suid-Afrikaanse grondhervormingsproses nie. Goeie werkbare plaas besigheidsplanne is nodig as 'n baie belangrike eerste stap om volhoubare boerdery ondernemings daar te stel. Hierdie studie is 'n waardevolle hulpmiddel in die regering se hand vir die evaluering van besigheidsplanne van grondhervormings projekte.
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Herstrukturering van die Suid-Afrikaanse landbousektor : kan kontrakboerdery 'n rol speel?

Kruger, Abraham Jakobus 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Grondhervorming en dit wat daarmee gepaard gaan, is een van die hoekstene van die normalisering van ons samelewing en is sedert 1994 deel van die transformasieproses. Die huidige regering gaan uit van die oortuiging dat blywende vrede nie verkry kan word sonder dat dié ongelykhede reggestel word nie. Is daar ‘n antwoord op Suid-Afrika se ongelyke grondbesit, en kan kontrakboerdery 'n rol speel in die oorbrugging van die probleme? Een van die belangrikste aspekte van die regstelling van die ongeregtighede van die verlede, is die uitwissing van armoede, en in hierdie verband is Landbou 'n belangrike rolspeler. Ten einde armoede te bestry en werk te skep, moet die toekomstige generasie bemagtig word deur eienaarskap te versprei. Die Wet op Inheemse Grond van 1913, die Inheemse Trust- en Grondwet van 1936, en die Groepsgebiedewet van 1950 het swart Suid-Afrikaners die geleentheid ontneem om plaaseenhede te besit en te bedryf in die blanke gebiede van Suid- Afrika wat, soos ons almal weet, verreweg die grootste gedeelte van die land asook die meer produktiewe boerderygrond uitgemaak het. Die grondhervormingsproses streef om die erfenis van hierdie wette ongedaan te maak. Sedert die Suid-Afrikaanse grondhervormingsprogram in 1994 van stapel gestuur is, heers daar groot debat oor die beleid, implementeringstrategieë en die impak van sodanige pogings op landbougrond, die lewens van die bevoordeeldes, en die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie. Met die toename in skaal en kompleksiteit van grondhervorming het dit al hoe moeiliker vir die Regering geword om die proses te monitor en te evalueer. Dit is nou alombekend dat, behalwe vir kwantitatiewe aanwysings, daar baie leemtes bestaan in die inligting oor grondhervorming. In die lig van die veranderende aard van wêreld-landbou- en voedselmarkte en die voortspruitende behoefte vir vertikale integrasie van die voedselverskaffingskettings, het hierdie werkstuk ten doel om die rol van kontrakboerdery as 'n instelling te ondersoek, ten einde die voortgesette deelname te verseker van kleinboere in ontwikkelende lande in die markte vir hoëwaarde produkte. Die klem val spesifiek op die Suid-Afrikaanse omstandighede vir grondhervorming. Die werkstuk bespreek die teoretiese rasionaal van kontrakboerdery, en illustreer hoe dié vorm van boerdery aangewend kan word om markmislukkings en a-simmetriese informasieprobleme te oorkom. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Land reform and associated matters are some of the cornerstones of the normalizing of our society and have been part of the transformation process since 1994. The present regime is of the conviction that lasting peace cannot be achieved without such unequalities being addressed. Is there an answer to unequal ownership of land in South Africa, and can contract farming play a role in bridging these problems? One of the most important aspects of the unrighteousness of the past, is poverty and in its eradication, agriculture is an important role player. In order to combat poverty and create jobs, the future generation must be empowered by ownership of the economy. The Indigenous Land Act of 1913, The Indigenous Trust and Land Act of 1936, and the Group Areas Act of 1950 deprived Black South Africans of the opportunity to own and run farming units within the white areas of South Africa that, as we all know, formed by far the largest part of the land as well as the more productive farming land. The land reformation process strives to annul the legacy of those laws. Since the South African land reform program was started in 1994, a heated debate has raged about the policy, implementation stategies, and impact of such efforts on agricultural land, the lives of the beneficiaries, and the South African economy. With the increase in scale and complexity of land reform, it became more and more difficult for the regime to monitor and evaluate the process. It is now common knowledge that, except for qualitative indications, many shortcomings are apparent in the information on land reform. In light of the changing nature of world agricultural and food markets and the subsequent need for vertical integration of the food-supply chains, this study aims at investigating the role of contract farming as an institution, in order to ensure the continued participation of small farmers in developing countries in the markets for high-value products. The emphasis falls specifically on the South African conditions for land reform. This study describes the theoretical rationale of contract farming, and illustrates how this form of farming can be applied to overcome market fiascos and assimmetrical information problems.
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Smallholder agriculture as local economic development (LED) strategy in rural South Africa: exploring prospects in Pondoland, Eastern Cape.

Manona, Siyabulela S January 2005 (has links)
The aim of this study was to explore the role and the prospects of smallholder agriculture as local economic development in Eastern Pondoland, in the former Transkei homeland. The study explored the role of agriculture in contributing to local economic development and the upliftment of the rural poor. It also explored the role that government and its agencies have played and could play in stimulating agricultural development.
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Smallholder agriculture as local economic development (LED) strategy in rural South Africa: exploring prospects in Pondoland, Eastern Cape.

Manona, Siyabulela S January 2005 (has links)
The aim of this study was to explore the role and the prospects of smallholder agriculture as local economic development in Eastern Pondoland, in the former Transkei homeland. The study explored the role of agriculture in contributing to local economic development and the upliftment of the rural poor. It also explored the role that government and its agencies have played and could play in stimulating agricultural development.

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