CHALLENGES AND ROLES FOR AGRICULTURE IN THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN REGION / UITDAGINGS EN ROLLE VIR DIE LANDBOU IN DIE SUIDER-AFRIKAANSE STREEK

Abstract

The Southern African Region is facing formidable economic challenges on issues such as poverty reduction, food security, employment creation, increased farm productivity, the sustainable use of natural resources, land reform and human capital development. To meet these challenges it is argued in this article that the agricultural sector should perform a essential role in the generation of rural incomes, employment and food security and also to transfer resources efficiently to other sectors of the regional economy. However, this sector is not fully utilized yet in the different countries of the region. The nature of this role will also differ between countries.

Suider Afrika staar enorme ekonomiese uitdagings in die gesig. Dit sluit sake soos armoede verligting, voedselsekerheid, werkskepping, verhoogde produktiwiteit, volhoubare benutting van natuurlike hulpbronne, grondhervorming en menslike kapitaalontwikkeling in. Ten einde hierdie uitdagings te hanteer, word daar in die artikel voorgestel dat die landbousektor in die streek 'n belangrike rol te speel het in die verhoging van inkomste in landelike gebiede, die skep van werksgeleenthede, voedselsekerheid en ook om by te dra tot die ekonomiese ontwikkeling in ander ekonomiese sektore. Die aard van die bydrae van die sektor sal egter verskil tussen lande. Die sektor word ook steeds nie ten volle benut in die onderskeie lande van die streek nie.