Assessment of skills and experience impacting on commercial farming among black farmers in Bojanala District, North West

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this was to assess skills and experience in commercial farming among black farmers; identify s kills required in commercial farming among black farmers; and empirically gain an insight of experience and constraints black farmers face in commercial farming. Design/methodology/approach : Qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were used. Qualitatively, 12 participants were interviewed and 41 participants answered a closed-ended questionnaire. The following variables were used to assess black farmers' s kills in commercial farming: skills in farm management principles; skills in decision making science; skills in farm record keeping; skills in farm risk management; skills in creating a competitive advantage for a farm business; skills in farm financial management; and experiences and constraints facing black commercial farmers. Findings: It was found in this study that there is a significant deficiency in black farmer ' skills in commercial farming. The study further found that black farmers require skills in farm management principles, decision making science in farming, farm record keeping, risk management in farming, creating a competitive advantage for a farm business and farm financial management. In terms of their experience from their successes and failures, black farmers perceive that they need to be committed and determined, to have passion, patience and perseverance, and need to work collectively in farming business. Research limitations/implications: A number of participants in both methods of collecting data limited the generalization of results. However, bridging of skills gap among black farmers could improve on their current practice in commercial farming. In their own experiences continuous support from relevant structures could impact positively in their commercial farming.