Situational analysis of Agricultural businesses within Aganang Municipality

Abstract

The South African economic system is reliant to a greater extend on the availability of resources within this economy. Agricultural business opportunities should be properly explored to contribute significantly towards LED and the S.A economy at large. The aim of this study is to determine the situation of agricultural businesses, analyse the situation and give recommendations as input to the strategy that will assist to effectively improve the performance of agricultural businesses in Aganang municipality and their contribution to economic growth of the municipality.

A general census of all these agricultural businesses within Aganang municipality as registered in the municipal LED database was considered for the research. Two different questionnaires were distributed to the two categories in the population, one for the officials and the other for business owners/managers. The results indicated that agricultural businesses in Aganang municipality are not aware of agricultural business opportunities and support programmes offered by government. They therefore do not participate in such programmes, remain survivalist and thus do not contribute to the economic growth of the municipality. The study recommends that: The younger generation should be involved in the agricultural sector. An active learning and entrepreneurship skill development programme at secondary school level should be considered. More farmers should be encouraged to engage in goat and cattle farming as the climate and soil structure dictates. There should be coordination of SMME including agricultural business development activities, within the municipality.