'n SUID-AFRIKAANSE HULPBRONKWALITEIT INDEKS

Abstract

Measurement of natural resource quality is useful for objectives such as macro production analysis, decisions regarding goverment capital expenditure and agricultural aid programs. Land prices can serve as indicator. Land prices are however influenced by external factors as well as quality of the land. The role of external factors, such as the use or expected use of land for non-agricultural purposes, goverment aid programs and monetary conditions must thus be eliminated so that land prices can be used as barometer of resource quality. A similar study was done in the USA with states as observation units. International indexes with countries as observation units were calculated in another study. In this paper a South African resource quality index with statistical regions as observation units is presented. Good statistical fits were obtained. The following factors contributed significantly to the determination of resource quality indexes: stability of rainfall, irrigation and percentage of land under natural pasture. Change occurs over time. The indexes obtained vary between 53 (Namaqualand) and 239 (Western province fruit region).

Uittreksel

Meting van die kwaliteit van natuurlike hulpbronne is nuttig vir doeleindes soos makro produksie-analise, besluite oor owerheidskapitaal-besteding en landbouhulpprogramme. Grondwaardes kan dien as 'n indikator. Grondwaardes word egter beïnvloed deur eksterne faktore sowel as die kwaliteit van hulpbronne. Die rol van eksterne faktore, soos gebruik of verwagte gebruik van grond vir nie-landbou doeleindes, regeringshulpprogramme en monetêre toestande moet dus geëlinineer word ten einde grondwaarde te gebruik as barometer van hulpbronkwaliteit. In die VSA is 'n sodanige studie gedoen met state as observasie-eenhede. In 'n ander studie is internasionale in-dekse bereken met lande as observasie-eenhede. In hierdie referaat is 'n Suid-Afrikaanse indeks bereken met staristiese streke as observasie-eenhede. Goeie statistiese passings is verkry. Die volgende faktore het betekenisvolle bydrae gelewer tot bepaling van hulpbronkwaliteit indekse: stabiliteit van rcenval, besproeiing en persentasie grond onder natuurlike weiding. Verandering geskied oor tyd. Die verkreë indekse wissel tussen 53 (Namakwaland) en 239 (Westelike Provinsie vrugtestreek).