African Journal of
Business Management

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Bus. Manage.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1993-8233
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJBM
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 4193

Full Length Research Paper

Critical assessment of the performance and sustainability of Land Bank customers among emerging farmers in South Africa

  Victor M. Mmbengwa1*, Jan A. Groenewald2, Herman D. van Schalkwyk2,   Mazuru B. Gundidza3 and Azwiangwisi N. Maiwashe4
  1School of Natural Resource Management, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), George Campus, Republic of South Africa and Free State University. 2Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Free State, Bloemfontein, Republic of South Africa. 3School of Therapeutic Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg1710, Republic of South Africa. 4Livestock Business Division, Agricultural Research Council, P/Bag X2, Irene, 0062, South Africa.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 06 September 2010
  •  Published: 04 October 2010

Abstract

 

The performance and sustainability of Land Bank customers amongst emerging farmers was analyzed. This was done by conducting a situational analysis through determining profitability, success, failures and reasons thereof. An intensive investigation incorporating desktop research, the perusal of government reports and research articles, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies revealed that perception of the emerging Land Bank farmers reflected more on their lack of capacity than their successes and failures. It was also found that skills, finance and infrastructure were the major success barriers for these farmers. A huge investment and improvements in skills, finance, extension support and production is required. This warrants further research on appropriate interventions that may specifically suit different commodities and geographic areas.

 

Key words: Performance, profitability, skills, wealth creation, capacity.