THE BATAT MARKETING DRIVE: IMPROVING MARKET ACCESS FOR SMALL SCALE FARMERS / THE BATAT BEMARKINGSVELDTOG: VERBETERING VAN MARKTOEGANG VIR KLEINSKAALSE BOERE

Abstract

The BATAT Marketing Drive aims to improve the market access of small scale farmers; in previously disadvantaged communities. The importance of marketing in rural development cannot be overemphasised. It is the profit incentive which encourages farmers to produce commercially. An overview of the present production and marketing activities of small scale farmers was obtained and the marketing constraints experienced by small scale farmers were identified. Constraints include a lack of transport services, a lack of road infrastructure, communication infrastructure and storage facilities. Farmers also need training and a regular source of market information. Provincial Departments of Agriculture can play a role in providing this information and training. Infrastructure, however, is a function of other government departments and in some cases private companies. The establishment of rural processing facilities should be encouraged. Farmers can also seize some marketing opportunities by working together in their production and marketing activities.

Die BATAT Bemarkingsveldtog se mikpunt is die verbetering van marktoegang vir kleinskaalse boere, in voorheen benadeelde gemeenskappe. Die belangrikheid van bemarking in landelike ontwikkeling kan nie oorbeklemtoon word nie. Dis die winsmotief wat boere aanmoedig om kommersieel te produseer. 'n Oorsig is verkry van die huidige produksie- en bemarkingsaktiwiteite van kleinskaalse boere om die bemarkingsbeperkings wat deur hulle ervaar word te identifiseer. Die beperkings sluit die volgende in: 'n Tekort aan vervoerdienste, tekorte aan padinfrastruktuur, kommunikasie-infrastruktuur en opbergingsfasiliteite. Boere het ook opleiding en 'n gereelde bron van markinligting nodig. Provinsiale Departemente van Landbou kan 'n rol speel in die verskaffing van hierdie inligting en opleiding. Infrastruktuur is egter 'nfunksie van ander regeringsdepartemente en privaat maatskappye. Die aanlê van landelike prosesseringsfasiliteite behoort aangemoedig te word. Boere kan ook sommige bemarkingsgeleenthede aangryp deur saam te werk in hul produksie- en bemarkingsaktiwiteite.