Agricultural development through contract agents ‐ appropriate for smallholders?

Abstract

Agriculture in developing areas of South Africa has undergone much experimentation as recommended by academics and administrators. Notwithstanding the latest moves towards a more representative government, which may usher in the rediscovery of individual initiative, present policies are largely responsible for the underdeveloped state of agriculture among the black community. The top‐down approach (whose existence is denied by policy‐makers) is evident even in quasi‐govemment and private agricultural management agencies. This and the wanton control of resources by these institutions has led to retreat by small‐scale farmers. Promotion of agriculture in the black community through highly centralised, administered projects has proved unappealing. The country's policy‐makers have not taken heed of the argument that ‘The poorer and more exposed one is, the more one becomes aware of sustainable survival techniques. If an outsider tells one how to survive, then that is the start of one's downfall.

Notes

Respectively Agricultural Economist, Standard Bank: and Agricultural Economist, Lebowa Agricultural Marketing Board.