Simphiwe Syneon Ngqangweni

Quantifying the Trade Effect of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Regulations of OECD Countries on South African Food Exports

Abstract Stringent sanitary and phytosanitary standards (SPS) have proliferated in the aftermath of the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture (URAA). These standards are currently becoming a major stumbling block in agricultural trade for developing countries. Limited by inadequate resources and expertise, among other things, these countries also have poor participation rate in discussions related to SPS that impedes the representation of their interests and concerns in setting international standards for agricultural products. Using a gravity model, this paper estimates the trade effect of total aflatoxin level set by five OECD countries (Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Germany and USA), on South African food exports. The findings support the hypotheses that stringent SPS standards are limiting trade markedly. The trade elasticity of aflatoxin standard is 0.41 and statistically significant. Moreover, the simulation result based on the assumption that these five OECD countries adopt the total aflatoxin level recommended by CODEX, shows that South Africa would have gained an estimated additional amount of US

PROGRESS WITH DIFFERENT LAND REFORM OPTIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA

69 million per year from food exports to these countries from 1995 to 1999.

Measuring smallholder comparative advantage in three South African provinces

The land reform programme of the South African government has three focus areas, namely restitution of land rights to the victims of forced removals, redistribution of land to the disadvantaged and tenure reform aimed at promoting security of tenure for all. In realising a programme of rapid and effective land reform it is important that all possible options of land transfer to previously disentitled South Africans should be pursued. This paper briefly describes the different options for land reform in South Africa and discusses the progress made in implementing the land reform programme of the government and each of the options outside the programme. Based on current trends in the land redistribution programme and private land and a number of other assumptions it is estimated that around 0.39% of commercial farm land in South Africa could be transferred through a combination of models to less advantaged groups by the end of 1996.

EQUITY SHARING AS A (UNIQUE) LOCAL AGRARIAN REFORM EXPERIENCE: PERCEPTIONS OF FARM WORKERS / AANDELEVERDEUNGAS 'N(UNIEKE) PLAASLIKE LANDELIKE HERVORMINGSONDERVINDING: PERSEPSIES VAN PLAASWERKERS

A major policy issue in South Africa is the redefinition of the role of the previously disadvantaged smallholder agricultural sector in providing rural livelihoods. This study shows that black small-scale farmers do produce certain agricultural activities both profitably and efficiently. This has major implications for broader rural growth and development. Agricultural policies aimed at promoting commodities that best make use of resources are required to exploit potential linkages with non-agricultural sectors of the economy.

EXPLORING GROWTH LINKAGES IN A SOUTH AFRICAN SMALLHOLDER FARMING AREA

This paper explores progress with the initial practical experience with agrarian reform in South Africa with special focus on the new ‘equity sharing’ model. It particularly discusses the current understanding and perceptions, and expectations of the beneficiaries, namely farm workers. A qualitative survey was done on two sites, one in Grabouw in the Western Cape, and the other in Badplaas in Mpumalangal, where equity schemes are currently at a pre-implementation phase.

SOME CONSIDERATIONS FOR A SOUTH AFRICAN FOOD POLICY / ASPEKTE VAN 'N SUID-AFRIKAANSE VOEDSELBELEID

Only recently have major research efforts been put into investigating the potential of South African smallholder agriculture to stimulate economic growth, create employment and alleviate poverty in the black rural areas. Following on some of the pioneer work on this subject, this paper applies the concept of ‘growth linkages’ in the analysis of smallholder agriculture production in Eastern Cape. It shows that an injection of smallholder income into the rural economy will result in significant rural income growth beyond the initial injection. Exploitation of this potential would require a deliberate policy focus to aid agricultural transformation in the smallholder farming areas. Such support should be directed towards activities in which smallholder farmers have a comparative advantage, such as in citrus and livestock in Eastern Cape. Such a policy will then favor autonomous development of rural non-tradables, such as rural services, local construction materials, and perishable prepared foods.

FARMWORKER PARTICIPATION SCHEMES: CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS / PLAASWERKER DEELNAME SKEMAS: VEREISTES VIR SUKSESVOLLE TOEPASSING

In this article some considerations for a South African food policy is discussed. It is firstly argued the food security require the balancing of the “food equation”. Food security therefore do not deal with production per se, rather the requirement of sufficient food for consumption. The current situation in South Africa is analysed, showing a movement from food self sufficiency. The first conclusion is that the food equation is currently not balanced. The importance of an economic viable “local food production” strategy is secondly argued. A changed institutional structure to manage food security and food policy is proposed

Agricultural policy reform in South Africa.

Farm worker participation schemes which give access to farm assets must be viewed in the context of agrarian reform. For South Africa this implies a possible strategy to support land reform programmes. This paper summarises factors which might impact on successful implementation of the model.