A snap survey conducted by Agri SA’s Commodity Chamber has found that organised agriculture spent R52,4 million on farmer development projects in 2006/07 – up from R11,5 million in 2002/03. Agri SA, and by implication its affiliates, are often accused of being apathetic about promoting previously disadvantaged communities in the agricultural sector, but these findings fly in the face of such perceptions.
The Commodity Chamber sent a questionnaire to 27 affiliated commodity organisations from the field crops, horticulture and animal production groupings and drew its findings from 17 respondents. “Some of the most important findings indicate that most commodity organisations are involved in farmer development projects, given that 17 organisations identified this as a priority,” said Neels Ferreira, chairperson of Agri SA’s Commodity Chamber. Commodity organisations are involved in 97 different projects, which translates into an average of six projects per organisation. he critical performance areas indicate that these projects focus on, in order of priority, providing training, rendering individuals commercially viable, helping communities enhance production, training and allocation of mentors, providing infrastructure such as sheds and supplying inputs.
“The success record of the projects shows that 71% of them have made good progress, 24% have made average progress and 3% have performed poorly. Total expenditure on the projects in rand value shows an upward trend. he average expenditure per commodity organisation was approximately R1,9 million and R3,1 million,” said Ferreira. About 87 internal staff members of commodity organisations were assigned to the projects. xThere are also 23 partners and 31 consultants involved in the projects. he survey would be repeated regularly to determine what progress is being made. – Staff reporter
