Proposing a farm assessment toolkit: evaluating a South African land reform case study

ABSTRACT

The paper presents a robust, scientific evaluation method to determine the potential viability of a farm, compared to its current performance. The comparison informs recommendations for sustainable farm development. The process entails a stepwise analysis of land suitability, enterprise potential, infrastructure status, operator capacity, inherent limitations and external risks of the farm. An expert panel considers quantitative and qualitative data to establish suitable development measures. Applied to a land reform initiative, ±2000 farms entailing 1.86 million hectares were evaluated, detailing corrective measures for each farm. Roughly 59% of the evaluated farms were potentially commercial, but only 7% performed accordingly. Correlations between farmer capability and farm performance, as well as between infrastructure and performance, were evident, indicating that post-settlement support is vital. As risk and limitation scores increased, farm viability tended to decrease. The tool accurately determined viability based on available resources (natural and physical), resulting in evidence-based policy advice. The evaluation informed land reform policy recommendations, proposing more coordinated support to improve access to services. The tool would also be useful for farmers to reflect on enterprise performance. The visual, sequential nature of the evaluation facilitates sound decision-making. The tool has potential as a valid agricultural development evaluation instrument.

KEYWORDS:

• Quantitative
• qualitative
• capability
• viability
• evaluation criteria

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 One assumption is that scores for the five aspects can vary, depending on for instance farm suitability (size, or unproductive areas such as mountains, dongas, or encroached areas). This lowers potential viability and ipso facto return on investment. Potential beneficiary capability and infrastructure always scores at 3, to indicate optimal infrastructure and a capacitated, motivated farmer. Hence, for these two criteria, the potential is always at level three.