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A Country of Two Agricultures
Nearly three decades after the dawn of democracy, South Africa has remained a country of 'two agricultures'. On the one hand we have a subsistence, primarily non-commercial, black farming segment. On the other hand, however, we have a predominantly commercial and white farming sector that is well-resourced and has access to domestic and international trade networks.
These disparities can be traced back to South Africa's painful history where, for decades, black farmers were on the margins of government support and also experienced land dispossession and livestock plunder.
A Country of Two Agricultures focuses less on history and more on the present and the future, explaining why these disparities have persisted in the democratic era, and what it will take to overcome them. It aims to contribute to a better understanding of the variety of agricultural forces, taking into account both questions of domestic political economy and external factors, as well as to bring to light new risks and opportunities.
Wandile Sihlobo offers insights into the role of agriculture in the South African economy from an agricultural economy perspective, and provides political economy insights that are rooted in the experiences of farming communities on the ground and right through the value chain.
Beyond insights on the realities this book offers the government, the private sector, and anyone interested in the betterment of the South African economy, tools to grapple with this duality, and proposes a framework for bolstering the black farming segment for growth and competitiveness – and ultimately food security.
Wandile Sihlobo is the Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) and the author of Finding Common Land, Equity and Agriculture.
These disparities can be traced back to South Africa's painful history where, for decades, black farmers were on the margins of government support and also experienced land dispossession and livestock plunder.
A Country of Two Agricultures focuses less on history and more on the present and the future, explaining why these disparities have persisted in the democratic era, and what it will take to overcome them. It aims to contribute to a better understanding of the variety of agricultural forces, taking into account both questions of domestic political economy and external factors, as well as to bring to light new risks and opportunities.
Wandile Sihlobo offers insights into the role of agriculture in the South African economy from an agricultural economy perspective, and provides political economy insights that are rooted in the experiences of farming communities on the ground and right through the value chain.
Beyond insights on the realities this book offers the government, the private sector, and anyone interested in the betterment of the South African economy, tools to grapple with this duality, and proposes a framework for bolstering the black farming segment for growth and competitiveness – and ultimately food security.
Wandile Sihlobo is the Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) and the author of Finding Common Land, Equity and Agriculture.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 9, 2023
As someone who grew up in a small village where farming dominated in the community I was intrigued to pick up this book and understand more about the state of the agriculture to date. Wandile touched on the potential that agriculture has in the former homelands and challenges being faced there on things like poor infrastructure such as bad roads and lack of water etc. Actually made me reflect to my childhood so much, in the late 90’s and early 2000’s where we still had running water most of the time, our backyards were filled bananas, avocados and mango trees then we also had sugarcanes and paw-paw, then all the seasonal crops that we would plant. However due to some politics supply of water became a mission and we stopped farming the only thing that survives now is mango trees mostly and your mealies that they plant during the rain season. Worse we were surrounded by so many farms that produced mainly citrus fruits and most veggies but now they replaced by fancy lodges.🥺
The book addresses the dualism that is there in agriculture and how government needs to collaborate with the private sector to address challenges faced in this country especially that it is experiencing two agricultures. The author argues that the agriculture is one of the important sector that can be explored to foster economic growth, inclusion and job creation in the country to address the high unemployment and other socio economic challenges that we face. What I like about a book written by a scholar is that they explore challenges and realities on the ground that are based by facts then at the end they leave you with a so what and even in this book Wandile leaves us a quest to explore the opportunities that are available in the Agriculture sector.
I found so many insights based on the topics that were explored in the book, from trade activities, policy reforms, the aspirations/visions that the National Development Plan had for the sector, how some municipalities are not improving the barriers to operate or attract entrants and also how the outputs being produced are exceeding most of the targets set in the country. The only thing that the author didn’t dwell much was on the land redistributions reforms and the financing portion however this was a very great book and the topic should be constantly revisited.📚
The book addresses the dualism that is there in agriculture and how government needs to collaborate with the private sector to address challenges faced in this country especially that it is experiencing two agricultures. The author argues that the agriculture is one of the important sector that can be explored to foster economic growth, inclusion and job creation in the country to address the high unemployment and other socio economic challenges that we face. What I like about a book written by a scholar is that they explore challenges and realities on the ground that are based by facts then at the end they leave you with a so what and even in this book Wandile leaves us a quest to explore the opportunities that are available in the Agriculture sector.
I found so many insights based on the topics that were explored in the book, from trade activities, policy reforms, the aspirations/visions that the National Development Plan had for the sector, how some municipalities are not improving the barriers to operate or attract entrants and also how the outputs being produced are exceeding most of the targets set in the country. The only thing that the author didn’t dwell much was on the land redistributions reforms and the financing portion however this was a very great book and the topic should be constantly revisited.📚
September 23, 2023
Stayed tuned for my Daily Maverick review ...
October 10, 2023
There are very few young South Africans who straddle the private, public and advocacy space as well and admirably as Wandile. It’s a testament to this next contribution in his unrelenting and passionate library of impactful work that it left me wanting more - deeper analysis, a more concentrated argument to focus on, less political towing the line. I would also love to see more from Wandile and his esteemed colleagues on the pressing and existential threats facing us with rapid climate crisis and biodiversity loss. Herein, Wandile alludes to and mentions climate change two or three times but nothing which reflects the life altering future which awaits us or indeed, how to adapt and mitigate it.
All in all, as South Africans, we’re lucky to have someone as engaged, passionate and down to earth (pun intended) as Wandile, and I continue to look forward to his future contributions.
All in all, as South Africans, we’re lucky to have someone as engaged, passionate and down to earth (pun intended) as Wandile, and I continue to look forward to his future contributions.
April 10, 2024
It is inspiring and generate hope for a young South African. Wel done Wandile!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews