The objective of the study is to analyze the impact of the ECRDA in projects managed by Eastern Cape emerging farmers. In this study, emerging farmers are farmers that are participating in the market and have intentions to produce and sell at a large scale. The study also investigates the challenges facing the emerging farmers supported by ECRDA as well as the support given to these farmers by ECRDA. The study is based on randomly selected farmers around Eastern Cape Province that are supported by ECRDA with finance to buy production inputs. Six interviews have been conducted around Eastern Cape, one in each of the six district municipalities. The information was transcribed and verbatim text was produced. From the verbatim text about 8 themes and sub- themes were identified and were analysed using qualitative content analysis method. The themes that were identified are: The first theme was the lack of infrastructure make a conducive farming environment. The second was the insufficient service from ECRDA officers, as well as those from the department of agriculture. The third theme that emerged was the availability of farming land from which the clients plough, and also use as a grazing land for their livestock. The fourth one focuses on the access to capital, and the challenges that are encountered when applying for loan at ECRDA. The fifth theme is the concern about the safety of the maize they plant, not only from the unattended livestock, but as well as thieves, when the maize is ready. The sixth theme is the availability of market, where the farmers are able to sell their produce when it is ready. The seventh theme was skills development, and whether farmers are trained in order to be effective and efficient farmers. The last theme focuses on loan repayment, how the farmers repay the loan from the ECRDA. These themes constitute the main challenges that hinder the sustainability of emerging farmers’ projects.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nmmu/vital:26945 |
| Date | January 2016 |
| Creators | Ndlazi, Tembisa |
| Publisher | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Masters, MA |
| Format | 70 leaves, pdf |
| Rights | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University |
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