PERCEPTIONS OF RISK AMONG COMMERCIAL FARMERS IN KWAZULU-NATAL IN A CHANGING ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT / SAMEVATTING: PERSEPSIES VAN RISIKO ONDER KOMMERSIëLE BOERE IN KWAZULU- NATAL IN 'N VERANDERENDE EKONOMIESE OMGEWING

Abstract

This study analyses the importance and dimensions of risk sources and computer adoption among farmers in a changing economic policy and trade environment. A survey was conducted in 1996 among 112 commercial farmers in KwaZulu-Natal. The majority of respondents were in favour of a liberalized trade environment and deregulated domestic product and input markets. Respondents identified changes in the cost of farm inputs, government legislation (tax, labour, and land redistribution), the Rand exchange rate, and product prices as the most important sources of risk. Factor analysis of risk sources showed that various dimensions to risk exist, including changes in government policy, enterprise gross income, credit access and cost changes. Computers, a risk management tool, are more likely to be adopted by larger farm operators who have higher levels of education and who use more information sources, whilst operators of extensive production systems are less likely to adopt computers.

Hierdie ondersoek ontleed die belangrikheid en dimensies van risikobronne en rekenaaraanvaarding onder boere binne 'n veranderende ekonomiese beleid en handelsomgewing. 'n Opname is in 1996 onder 112 kommersiële boere in KwaZulu-Natal gedoen. Die meeste respondente was ten gunste van 'n geliberaliseerde handelsomgewing en gedereguleerde plaaslike produk- en insetmarkte. Respondente het veranderinge in die koste van landbou-insette, staatswetgewing (belasting, arbeid en grondherverdeling), die wisselkoers van die Rand en produkpryse as die belangrikste risikobronne beskou. Faktorontleding van risikobronne het getoon dat daar verskillende dimensies tot risiko bestaan, insluitend veranderinge in staatsbeleid, bruto ondernemingsinkomste, toegang tot krediet en kredietkoste. Rekenaars, 'n risikobestuursmiddel, sal meer waarskynlik aanvaar word deur groot landbouoperateurs wat hoër opvoedkundige vlakke het en wat meer inligtingsbronne gebruik, terwyl operateurs van ekstensiewe produksiestelsels minder waarskynlik is om rekenaars te aanvaar.