CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE AND NATURAL RESOURCE POLICY REFORM IN SOUTH AFRICA: CONDUCIVE OR OBSTRUCTIVE TO SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF AGRICULTURE

Abstract

“A greatly impmed understMdig of the natumi resource base and environmentai systems that suppH national economies is needed if patterns of development that are sustainable can be determined and recommended to governments” (Myers, 1989).

Establishment of constitutional order and a change in political power has initiated major public policy reforms. Following public consultation, policy documents have recently been published on the environment, agriculture, land, forestry and water supply. A systematic framework is presented to evaluate the expected influence of proposed policy interventions with legal and financial instruments on sustained economic growth and development. Based on past performance and measurement of multifactor productivity of agriculture, indications are that competitiveness can be improved. Required innovations are design of institutions, application of technology, training of management, local value adding and greater export Orientation of agricultural products. Policy advice by agriculture economists must be provided by mastering the art of identifying politically relevant aspects of natural resource and environmental problems, followed by projections of economic consequences through applied empirical research. It is concluded that as a whole the policy environment favours the creation of wealth through private enterprise.