Towards Redesigning the Agricultural extension service in South Africa: Views and proposals of smallholder farmers in the Estern Cape

The public extension service in the Eastern Cape Province is in vital need of revitalization if it is to transform the unproductive smallholder-agriculture sector into a more commercially-orientated sector. The research used a Logical Framework Analysis (LFA) enquiry to determine the problems smallholder farmers face as well as the causes and effects of their problems. The research participants stated that the main problem was ineffective farmer development. This was caused by, among others, poor farming systems and, lack of training, finances and support. This led to, among others, dependency, crime, unemployment and poverty. The participants said that they would like to become commercially productive. This would require, among others, access to training, finances and support, and improved farming systems. This would lead to reductions in crime, unemployment and poverty as well as them becoming independent and productive farmers. The smallholder farmers would not be able to solve these problems on their own, even with the help of an extensionist. These problems require input from multiple role players of the agricultural environment, as they need to be addressed from within a systems context. A platform would need to be created where all of the role players can interact in finding solutions.S.Afr. Tydskr. Landbouvoorl./S. Afr. J. Agric. Ext., Vol. 39 Nr 2, 2011: 47 – 5

Towards designing a new agricultural extension service for the Eastern Cape Province: A perception analysis

South Africa is in the process of rectifying the social injustices of the past and building a new future towards “equitable access and participation” in the agricultural sector (DoA, 2001) through the transference of farmland to emergingblack farmers and communities. This new class of farmers needs an effective extension service to help them become commercial farmers. However, agricultural extension is generally viewed to be ineffective. Thus, there is also a need for a revised extension model for, in this case, the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Eight factors were identified and were included in this study. The eight factors, viz.· Personal characteristics of extension workers;· Community cooperation and networks;· Training of extension workers;· Leadership and mentoring ability;· Financial support;· Institutional support (technical and skills);· Communication; and· Staffing.This paper is aimed at discussing the identified factors, related to organizational and human capital development, that are essential for effective extension and will propose the basis and design framework of an extension model discussed in a later paper. Researchers who are currently undergoing an academic programme/training at the University of the Free State and extension officers were interviewed via questionnaires in order to determine their perceived importance of the identified factors.The results revealed their perceptions regarding those eight identified factors and also their misconceptions relating to these factors, such as communication being the seventh most important factor. By developing these eight factors that require either human capital development or organizational development, the extension organization and its officers will begin in rectifying the identified problem. This study will ultimately lead to the subsequent development of an extension model for theEastern Cape

Towards describing small scale agriculture: an analysis of diversity and the impact thereof on extension services: the case of the Leliefontein area (Northern Cape, South Africa)

This article reports on a study which was undertaken in one of the historically “coloured reserves” of the Northern Cape Province called Leliefontein. The overall objective of the study was to compile an understanding about the diversity in farming households. Typology analysis was applied on a sample of 108 households. The findings of the study show that there exists substantial diversity among the households in this predominantly farming community. The knowledge of this diversity might be of importance for extension service. There are seven types of households reflecting this diversity namely, Autonomous Households; Livestock Holders; Irregular Income Earners; the Poorest; Regular Income Earners and Social Transfer Dependent types. These findings are then applied to assist with the design of extension services. Keywords: Small-scale agriculture, extension services, farming households, diversity, impact South African Journal of Agricultural Extension Vol. 34(2) 2005: 303-31

Recent advances in understanding hypertension development in sub-Saharan Africa

Consistent reports indicate that hypertension is a particularly common finding in black populations. Hypertension occurs at younger ages and is often more severe in terms of blood pressure levels and organ damage than in whites, resulting in a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality. This review provides an outline of recent advances in the pathophysiological understanding of blood pressure elevation and the consequences thereof in black populations in Africa. This is set against the backdrop of populations undergoing demanding and rapid demographic transition, where infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus predominates, and where under and over-nutrition coexist. Collectively, recent findings from Africa illustrate an increased lifetime risk to hypertension from foetal life onwards. From young ages black populations display early endothelial dysfunction, increased vascular tone and reactivity, microvascular structural adaptions, as well as increased aortic stiffness resulting in elevated central and brachial blood pressures during the day and night, when compared to whites. Together with knowledge on the contributions of sympathetic activation and abnormal renal sodium handling, these pathophysiological adaptations result in subclinical and clinical organ damage at younger ages. This overall enhanced understanding on the determinants of blood pressure elevation in blacks encourages (a) novel approaches to assess and manage hypertension in Africa better, (b) further scientific discovery to develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies, and (c) policymakers and health advocates to collectively contribute in creating health-promoting environments in Africa

Five year strategic plan for pork producers in South Africa.

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Towards the future: a strategic plan for Mcgregor Wines.

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MGK operating Company (Temo Agriservices)

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NWK Limited

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Talent and human resource development project

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