Training Strategies in Agricultural Management to Meet the Challenges in South African Agriculture Into the 21st Century

The major change in the political structure of South Africa in 1994, i.e. democratization of society and all the regulatory structures, has resulted in a number of major changes in the agricultural scene. First and foremost, is the re-entry of South African agriculture into the global market. GATT agreements have opened the local market in South Africa for foreign produce, particularly dairy and meat products. Secondly, with the restoration of land rights and opening of agriculture, the new or beginner farmer has emerged, with a large measure of support from government. The changes that affect agricultural education and training significantly are firstly, the change in the spectrum of youth who want to study at various tertiary levels in agriculture. Youth from the disadvantaged communities are interested in positions in farming, extension and secondary agricultural industries. Secondly, there is an urgent call from commercial or established agriculture for suitably qualified persons to fill the various management ranks during the next decade. Commercial agriculture is extensive in nature. The horticultural industries are primarily export oriented Many of these industries are presently, by tradition, large employers of labour. The strategy for success in farming in South Africa into the 21st century is specialized low cost production in order to be competitive in the global market. Education and training in Agricultural Management have taken cognisance of these factors in the planning of the curriculum. "Hands-on" experiential training is regarded as a significant component in agri-management training. Due to the social effects resulting from the significant disparity in the educational levels between farm owner, top managers and the labour on the farms which exists in South African agriculture, high priority is placed on subjects such as Agricultural Personnel Management, Leadership and Strategic Management to address these problems and to provide for training of relevant skills. The underlying approach is that labour is a stakeholder in the success of the agricultural enterprise. The impact of agricultural practices on the environment and the resultant externality problems are addressed by the inclusion of the principles of sustainability in the production oriented subjects. Management strategy training includes materials regarding ecological aspects of agriculture. Furthermore, an emphasis on sustain ability addresses the problems of resource degradation and the quality of life of the agricultural community at large.