Measuring perceived black economic empowerment in the South African wine industry

The aim of this study is to develop a scale to measure perceived black economic empowerment (BEE) as reported by beneficiaries themselves. Two scale development procedures were carried out on randomly selected samples of 213 and 322 previously disadvantaged individual respondents within 14 and 11wine business that cover the larger part of the wine industry chain. The results led to a 'feeling' self-report scale (5-dimensions) and an ‘evolution’ self-report scale (6-dimensions). The emerged dimensions are: Business ownership and control (BOC), Access to finance (ATF), Employment and Human Resources Management (EMP) [internal and external], Social capital/enabling environment (SOC) and Lobbying power and collective action (LOB). First measurement results indicate that respondents feel less empowered with respect to BOC and ATF as compared to EMP, SOC and LOB. There appears to be no gender or age differences, but there are geographical differences. The latter is mostly per farm, that is, a lot of variation in BEE is observed at the firm level. The scale can be used at the firm and industry level as a diagnostic tool to monitor BEE progress as a complementary and not a substitutive framework to the wine industry scorecard as an objective measure of BEE. Future research should focus on the gap between the two definitions and assessment tools in order to comprehensively capture BEE in its entirety. The scale can also be adapted to fit the context, for example, its use in the agricultural sector at large.Agribusiness,

AN ANALYSIS OF THE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE AND POLICY INCENTIVES OF COMMERCIAL WHEAT PRODUCTION IN SOUTH AFRICA

Despite the fact that all direct and indirect measures of subsidisation and protection have been removed, commercial agriculture is still widely considered to be subsidised, privileged and uncompetitive. This paper shows how the process of deregulation has in fact changed the situation. The paper reports on the comparative advantage in the production of wheat in South Africa and reveals the various distortionary effects, if any, of the policy environment on the production of wheat in the country prior to 1997. The paper concludes that South Africa has a strong comparative advantage in the production of wheat, especially, in the inland areas. Favourable climatic and soil factors as well as abundant and relatively cheaper domestic factors of production may be some of the reasons for this strong comparative advantage. The inland areas have better RCRs due to higher inland transportation costs. However, wheat production under irrigation seems to have no comparative advantage. This is mainly due to the implicit subsidy on irrigation water.Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries,

Strategic focus areas and emerging trade arrangements in the South African agricultural industry since the demise of the marketing boards

This paper investigates the responses of agribusiness managers to drastic changes in the policy and marketing environment of South African agriculture. The process of deregulation and liberalisation of agricultural markets exposed agribusiness managers to international trends, which required new institutions and relationships. Based on a survey conducted among business managers, we explored emerging growth strategies, strategic focus areas and coordination preferences. Results suggest that managers prefer a growth strategy based on market penetration and market development. Important strategic drivers are value-adding and power drive. Managers expressed their preference for increased coordination and cooperation resulting in relation-based contracts and equity-based alliances.agribusiness, strategic focus areas, institutional arrangements, South Africa, Agribusiness,

Why agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa remains low compared to the rest of the world – a historical perspective

Agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa has, in recent times, remained lower than the rest of the world. Many attribute this to factors inherent to Africa and its people, such as climate, soil quality, slavery and disease. This article traces the role of agriculture through history and argues that these are not the main reasons. Before the arrival of European traders, complex agricultural systems existed, which supported food security, manufacturing and trade. External interference manipulated these systems in pursuit of export crops. Independence has not fundamentally changed this; resource and wealth extraction continue to inhibit economic development for Africans in Africa

Rangeland degradation in the southern Kalahari.

Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.Observations by local people in the Mier area, southern Kalahari, South Africa, indicated that degraded rangeland does not recover within a time frame acceptable to landowners. Pristine vegetation in this linear dune system consists largely of a herbaceous layer dominated by perennial grasses. Woody vegetation is sparse on dunes and interdunes in good condition. The dunes and interdunes react differently to disturbance, probably because of differences in substrate stability, soil particle size distribution and consequent differences in soil nutrient distribution and moisture content. Degraded dunes are devoid of any vegetation, except for Stipagrostis amabilis, a rhizomatous grass which remain in small clumps, and the tree Acacia haematoxylon. The latter increases in numbers probably due to the high moisture content in degraded dunes. Moisture content in degraded dunes remain high even during prolonged dry periods. Interdunes are more susceptible to degradation and are invaded by the long-lived shrub Rhigozum trichotomum and the annual grass Schmidtia kalahariensis. Both these species compete with perennial grasses for moisture. Additionally, depleted seed banks and increased seed predation by ants (Messor capensis) may also affect the re-establishment of perennial grasses in the interdunes. The main conclusion from this study is that degraded southern Kalahari rangeland cannot recover spontaneously at the landscape scale because of a negative feedback mechanism that prevents establishment and growth of seedlings. The hypothesis put forward is that rangeland ceases to react to rainfall as an ecosystem driver as it becomes degraded. Once degraded, wind controls the dynamics of the system and recovery, irrespective of rainfall, is almost impossible. In contrast, detailed studies at the level of small isolated populations of S. amabilis and S. ciliata on degraded dunes indicate high rates of population growth. The scales at which these processes exist are contradictory and may not be contradicting. Rangeland managers should take cognisance of the influence of the spatial and temporal scale at which they operate, and on which they base their decisions

L3: On Farm systems and risk management

This project seeks to define the interplay between market access, crop and livestock technologies, and investment risks in water- and market-scarce environments that leads to technology adoption by farm families, enabling them to enhance food security and incomes through more efficient water use. Water efficient farm enterprises and climate risk management Innovation Platforms will be established at project sites to bring together all role players necessary to increase investments in farm management strategies to improve productivity of crop and livestock systems through improved fodder production. Investment choices matched to farmer capacities and climatic risk environment Understanding how the capacity of farmers and their ability to make use of new opportunities is affected by their wealth status, investment priorities and variable climate will assist in the design of new and more target-specific crop-livestock management strategies. Market-led technologies for smallholder farmers developed and tested The project will use market access as the driver of crop and livestock technology uptake. Market development initiatives such as contract farming, voucher-based input distribution schemes for seed and fertilizer and innovative fertilizer marketing strategies will be implemented by project partners, technically supported by research and extension and monitored for impacts across the value chain

Research with Development Ambitions--Partnering with Non-Researchers

To deliver on a development mandate it is necessary to partner. Partnerships should be based on achieving a common goal, through the partners working on complementary objectives. Partnerships should be based on related objectives, where single organisations will not be able to achieve the goal alone, and where the partnership can lead to more rapid achievement of the goals. Preferably partnership should be objective specific, temporary by nature and dynamic. No one entity can completely address the complexity of real world problems—yet they often propose to do just that. Time and money should be invested in diagnosing pathways to impact, including identifying potential partners with mandates to deliver within those areas of impact. Plan for and invest in the long and enlightening process of engagement with partners, including those who will appear (and disappear) along the way

Non-compliance with treatment by epileptic patients at George Provincial Hospital

Non-compliance with anti-epileptic drug treatment in the George area, resulting in recurrent seizures and visits to the emergency department of the George Provincial Hospital, has been identified as a social and economic problem. The aim of this study was to determine the socio-economic and medical factors, the information given to patients by healthcare workers, and the understanding of patients living with epilepsy who presented to the emergency department with seizures. Methods A descriptive study design was employed and the data-collection tools were a questionnaire and structured interview. Results The median age of the study population was 32 years. The patients had suffered from epilepsy for a median of two years and visited a clinic for a median of seven times a year. The median education level was primary school and three quarters had no employment or government grant. The majority did not understand the disease, the side effects of the medication and why they should be on medication. In addition, it became apparent from patient reports that healthcare workers showed a lack of counselling skills, time and appropriate knowledge. Conclusions There is a general lack of understanding of epilepsy by the patient. Not only were the patients uninformed, but they also showed apathy towards the management of their condition.South African Family Practice Vol. 49 (9) 2007: pp. 1