Browsing by Author "Makgale, Joas Moabi Seatile"

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    Participation of previously disadvantaged people in the export of agricultural commodities
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Makgale, Joas Moabi Seatile; Vanyoro, Kudzaiishe; Wotela, Kambidima
    South Africa’s agricultural industry is dualistic in nature and has been for decades. This structure has ensured that only a few are able to enjoy the profits from the industry. The main objective of the current study is to interrogate the barriers that previously disadvantaged people face in participating in the export of agricultural commodities in South Africa’s agricultural industry. This is done with a focus on grain crops and the chosen area of study of Rustenburg; a town located in Moses Kotane Local Municipality (MKLM) in the North West province. Data was collected from 30 respondents who are previously disadvantaged grain crop farmers. The data were analysed using thematic data analysis. The findings of the study indicate that there are existing barriers to entry in the export market that particularly affect previously disadvantaged groups. These barriers include lack of knowledge as well as high levels of illiteracy, which disproportionately affects aging farmers. The study finds that the major barrier to entry is the structural set-up of the value chain, which enables commercial farmers to profit from the labor of the smallholder farmers. Smallholder farmers are heavily in debt and can barely earn a profit from their farm produce. To address these challenges, the research proposes a business venture model that will ensure that smallholder farmers are included in the export markets and concurrently scale themselves up into commercial farmers. The research also proposes the establishment of shared storage infrastructure in rural communities and owning machinery and equipment throughout the municipality. This would require a facilities management company to assume a custodian role to ensure proper management and administration of the business.