Tamas I. Fenyes

Maize and wheat production trends in South Africa in a deregulated environment

Qualitative control measures and government regulation of the marketing of agricultural produce was seen as distorting the working of the market mechanism. Trade liberalisation, with tariffication of agricultural produce and the deregulation of the marketing of agricultural produce was therefore promoted. It was expected that producers of agricultural produce would respond to liberalisation efforts and deregulation in a way that would move production closer to some optimum point. An analysis of production trends for maize and wheat confirms that production of these commodities have moved closer to an optimum point, especially after the deregulation of these markets.

LAND TENURE: ATTITUDES IN LEBOWA

ABSTRACT The land tenure system in Lebowa is similar to most traditional African systems. Both communal and individualised tenure have been advocated by different experts. A survey was conducted to determine the attitudes of Lebowa smallholders and leaders to land tenure systems. The majority of smallholders are in favour of change. The response from traditional leaders seems to be ambiguous. Both smallholders and non-traditional leaders favour more individualised tenure with more land being fanned by the better farmers. In general, there seems to be an interest in modernisation.

AGRICULTURAL POLICY AND MACROECONOMIC ISSUES IN SOUTH AFRICA IN PERSPECTIVE

This article attempts to reflect on the of the evolution of agricultural policies in South Africa since the 1980’s. It also attempts to investigate certain macroeconomic and sectoral issues, which together with policy contributed to a situation of poverty amongst surpluses. Deregulation and the switch to the small farmer philosophy combined with envisaged cooperation between agricultural and general economic policy is regarded as essential for future progress.

NEW INITIATIVES IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE NORTH

Agricultural economics education at the University of the North started in 1976 when the present reviewer became head of the newly established department. This development has led to the gradual establishment of a fullyfledged Faculty of Agriculture. The department produced the first M.Sc. (Agric-economics) degree in 1983 and the recipient was the current acting vice-chancellor, Prof Charles Machethe.