The use of information and communication technology by emerging commercial farmers in their development in the Western Cape, South Africa
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Date
2018
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Although many researchers have shown ICT can enable development it remains a great challenge to
understand the link between JCT4D projects and the development of emerging commercial
agriculture. There is a need to realise the potential of information and communication technologies
(ICT) for emerging commercial farmer development in order to achieve agriculture expansion and
transformation in South Africa. This is important in order for them to partake in the knowledge
economy visualised in the 2030 National development plan of South Africa and achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals in 2030. However in South Africa, it is not yel established which
spec(flc ICT are used, how they are used and the extent of deployment ((used in the emerging
commercial agricultural sector. Few studies have focused on the faclors that influence the use of !CT
in South Ajhcan emerging agriculture. This study investigates and attempts to understand the usage
of ICT by emerging commercial farmers and the issues 1hat influence ICT use on the West Coast of
the Western Cape Province in South Africa. The study investigates 1he different forms of JCT used,
how they are being used, what they are used for, how important these technologies are as enablers of
production, and the factors that affect their use. The study involved a survey response of 42 emerging
commercial farmers and 46 of their farm employees in the Matzikama and Cederberg municipalities.
A literature review draws from studies globally, regionally and in South Africa on how !CTs have
penetrated and contributed to delivering development in emerging commercial agriculture. Although
most emerging commercial farmers cannot afford to adopt !CT tools that are essential in their
farming activities almost all who were interviewed acknowledged the importance of ICT to their
businesses. However, among other ICT, mobile phones and television were found to be primarily used
for social and entertainment reasons rather than for agricultural pwposes. The general findings
showed that occupation on farm and JCT literacy influence the use of ICT by farm employees. On the
other hand the gender, capacity of the farmer, off farm income and farm size influences the use of ICT
by emerging commercial farmers. Our literature review established some examples ji'om the studies
of other researchers and the efforts of multi-lateral institutions such as the FA 0 and ITU to illustrate
how we can improve policy. 1 recommend that the South African government develop an e-agriculture
strategy to monitor development and validation of good practices on the use of ICTs in
agriculture and rural development. This strategy will examine emerging trends on the role of JCTs
and the challenges faced in reaching scaled, sustainable informCIIion service models. This can
increase the sustainability of emerging commercial agriculture to contribute to the improvement of
the lives of the poor in rural areas. Finally I present research questions for future research.
Description
Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA (DVS)
Keywords
Jn.fonnation Communication Technology (JCT), Information Communication Technology
for Development (!CT4D), Emerging Commercial Farmers, Extension services