A Study to Identify and Evaluate the Impact of the Keiskammahoek Farmer Support Programme on Farmers Development

Abstract

The conditions prevailing in the developing rural areas of South Africa are a cause for concern. This is evident when the optimal utilization of the agricultural land is considered. Most of these areas fall under the jurisdiction of the former self governing states and independent homelands. In comparison to the commercial white farming sector, agriculture in the rural areas can be regarded as inefficient and unproductive. The developing rural areas of South Africa occupy- an area of about 16.72 million ha of which approximately 76 percent receives a rainfall greater than 500mm per annum (Nicholson and Bembridge, 1991). These areas can therefore be regarded as having good potential for semi-intensive agriculture.