Abstract

Farm workers are amongst the workers that are central to the productivity and efficiency of food production. Food and agricultural sector in South Africa cannot achieve their global competitiveness without a properly skilled and technologically wise farm workforce. In order for this sector to effectively prevent food insecurity in South Africa and in Southern African Development Communities (SADC), famers and other stakeholders needs to prioritize farm workers’ training programme. This study examined the training gaps that exist within the farm worker communities in Free State Province, South Africa. The research was carried out in three different regions of the aforementioned Province. An intensive investigation incorporating desktop studies, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies revealed that the absence of dedicated training institute, sponsors and training programs limit the farm workers’ human capital development. It was also revealed that there is a significantassociation (P<0.10) between training and funding of farm workers. To unlock the economic marginalization of these farm workers, the study recommends that training facilities aim at empowering farm workers should be within their reach. A properly designed and supported farm worker training programmes with a particular emphasizes on managerial training, agro-processing and value addition of agro-products be canvassed.

Key words: Skills, development, farm, workers, training, Free State.