The transformation of subsistence poultry farming into commercial poultry farming in the Central Region of the Mafikeng area

Abstract

The South African Constitution entrenches the right of every citizen to buy and own land without any interference from the government (Act 108,1996.) Although the Act has made provision for every citizen to have access to land, most of it is still in the hands of few white individuals who accessed it during the Apartheid era. Most Provinces are however experiencing problems in ensuring that marginalised individuals gain access to land, which they could use to engage in commercial poultry farming. Visible discrepancies pertaining to the living standards of different racial groups resulted in repressed human and economic development particularly for the majority of black people in this country. The North West Province, which is predominantly rural, is obviously faced with a mammoth task of addressing the problems of subsistence poultry farming particularly in the Central Region (Mafikeng area) It is against this background that an investigation in this problem includes the following main objectives: - Establishing whether the Central District in the North West Province understands its role and responsibilities in relation to assisting the local subsistence chicken farmers to realised their dreams of becoming commercial farmers. - Establishing whether the central district has the capacity to assist these emerging farmers in their plight of becoming commercial poultry farmers. - Establishing whether sufficient moral and financial support is provided to ensure that these farmers succeed in their endevours. It has been established that the main problem is lack of capacity on the part of officials who have been tasked to assist rural poultry farmers. Structures have been put in place by the department of Agriculture as well as the ANC government to deal with issues of poverty alleviation in particular those who were marginalized by the previous governments but the problem is that these entities are not utilized to the maximum.

It has been established that the majority of farmers do not get the necessary mentoring and coaching from Agricultural extension officers. The level of education for most subsistence farmers is so low that it becomes almost impossible to assist them with skills development programmes. This has also contributed to the fears that financial institutions have in financing the upcoming subsistence chicken farmers. Extension officers who should assist these farmers in terms of drafting viable and sustainable business plans are not doing enough to help them. It is also evident that there is an urgent need that the government should intervene in terms of non-financial and financial assistance.