Abstract
The agricultural sector is in a process of change. The sector is seen as one sector encompassing all farmers in South Africa. An inequitable approach was followed in the past in supporting the sector, especially regarding the provision of financial services. The needs and participants in the sector and the different financial institutions are discussed and the inequitable approach is reiterated. The challenges to the financial institutions servicing agriculture are highlighted, that is a change in approach towards agricultural policy, interest rates, transaction costs, regulations and financial services. Changes needed are proposed. It basically entails changing the mind-set of the institutions. In the targeting of services, the role of public sector institutions will also include a high priority servicing of the previously ignored farmers in the sector. In considering the whole agricultural sector, unco-ordinated an inequitable approaches of the past will be excluded. The challenge however is to redress the inequities 01 the past, while at the same time pursuing tile goal of an equitable, efficient and sustainable agricultural sector.
Uittreksel
Die landbou-sektor as geheel ondergaan veranderings. Dit word beskou as een sektor wat alle boere in Suid-Afrika insluit. In die verlede is 'n ongelyke benadering gevolg betreffende ondersteuningsdienste aan die sektor. Dit is veral waar betreffende finansiële dienste. Die behoeftes en deelnemers in die sektor word bespreek. Die organisasies wat finansiële dienste aan die sektor verskaf, word kortliks toegelig en die ongelykheid in dienste word beklemtoon. Uitdagings aan finansiële inslellings wat die landbou bedien, word beklemtoon en sluit veranderings in die benadering tot landboubeleid, rentekoerse, transaksiekoste, sekuriteit, finansiële dienste en regulasies in. Veranderings word voorgestel. Die veranderings gaan basies oor 'n verandering in denke oor die sektor. Boere wat gely het onder die ongelyke benadering in die verlede sal spesiate aandag moet geniet, veral vanaf die staat. Indien die dienste-organsisasies die landbou-sektor waarlik as een sektor beskou sal dit verhoed dat dubbele standaarde gehandhaaf word. Die uitdaging is egter om die ongelykhede van die verlede reg te stel sonder dat die voortbestaan en doeltreffendheid van die landbou in die gedrang kom.