The Future of Agriculture and the Rural Economy (FARE) in the Western Cape

Project summary:

Dr Adrian Sayers was a member of the FARE PANEL that investigated recent developments and projections of the future of Agriculture and the Rural Economy. The Report dealt with a range of issues under the rubric of the need for an enabling rural economic development and growth environment; land reform; the rural labour market and labour relations; settlement patterns in, and social dimensions of rural communities; and rural development, public policy and multi-stakeholder engagement. The FARE PANEL developed recommendations to be addressed by various spheres of government and private sector stakeholders based on the wealth of quantitative and qualitative information, including labour market matters, gathered in all the local areas and districts of the Western Cape.

The panel recognised the vested interests as well as the emotional debates then prevalent amongst the players and called for urgent engagement as the current polarised positions of Government, Commercial Agriculture and Labour cannot be resolved by itself. While recognising the diversity of the rural economy, key elements were identified as the basis of work towards a common vision. It included, among other: the organisation of farm workers; the need to change paternalistic relations in agriculture; negotiating forums needed to be established amongst all stakeholders; ensure access to basic human rights; and attaining a more equitable spread of farm ownership patterns.