107 Figure 37: Beneficiaries sharing seeds and fertilizers
However, it was unfortunate to witness the very little in which every beneficiary gets allocated due to insufficient inputs. The beneficiaries ended up using cups to divide the different seeds per individual. This observation speaks to the shortages of supply versus demand of the inputs and raises the question whether the programme is of real consequence to its beneficiaries; if a person with more than a hectare of land is to be allocated only a cup of seeds and a plastic bag of fertilizers what significant difference can this make?
4.18 UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEW FROM THE BENEFICIARIES
108 when the program started they were called by the Department of Agriculture because they were part of the management committee in the irrigation scheme. While the other 60% indicated the y heard about Masibuyele Emasimini programme from the committee members. All beneficiaries indicated that tractors were given to the cooperative of the two irrigation schemes, i.e., New forest and Digleydale They said that they were paying the tractors for any activities in an affordable rate.
4.18.3 Skills training
The 40% farmers from the management committee said that they have enough of the skills for agricultural production from the Department of Agriculture, LIMA.ARC and other companies.
The other 60% farmers indicated that they have some of the training especially from LIMA. All farmers indicated that they have no training from Masibuyele Emasimini personnel, but they emphasised that they do have skills for production, i.e., planting spacing, pests and disease control, marketing etc.
4.18.4 Government Expectations
80% of the farmers mentioned that they don‟t think the government managed to meet their expectations, since they still have land that is lying fallow; many farmers still go out and hire private tractors because they have been queuing for long. They also indicated that the government tractors failed to plough 90% of the land in the scheme in a year. The other 20% said that they do get assisted by mechanisation two or three times a year, also indicated there is much improvement in production.
4.18.5 Challenges
All farmers indicated that they do have challenges one way or the other. The following challenges were commonly mentioned by all beneficiaries: insufficient inputs, shortage of diesel, poor communication, late arrival of production inputs and limited mechanisms. Only 10%
indicated that bribery is challenge 20% indicated that lack of training by the tractor drivers is challenge. All beneficiaries have no problem with political interferes.
4.18.5.1 Poor Youth Involvement in the Programme and Farming in General
In-depth interviews with the beneficiaries revealed that there is a huge misconception of farming from the youth. They were of the view that farming is of poor status and is not a real career to be
109 part of. This is not surprising, since for majority of the youth in these villages, farming has been a compulsory activity enforced by parents so as to sustain the family. Most lack an example of farming that has turned people prosperous thus it is seen as an insignificant activity; which the poor and unsuccessful embark on. The sustainability of farming and thus of this programmes objectives are questionable if the youth is not taking part and majority of farmers are the elderly.
PEA (2002) states that the lower the educational level of the youth the more they are likely to embrace farming as a means of lively hood and business. Conversely the more educated tend to seek employment in other sectors to avoid farming. Suriname (2010) adds on by stating that the youth usually go to the more popular and socially accepted by their communities as ideal forms of employment while stigma influences the youth against agriculture. The misconception of farming by the youth influences the sustainability of programmes objectives negatively
The fact that he elderly are participating in farming would be advantageous if they were doing so not only to provide for themselves and their families but also passing on vital skills which they have been equipped with from experience and training from programmes such as the Masibuyele Emasimini programme. However the findings paint a miserable picture where no skills transfer is occurring due to lack of interest from the youth. The implication of such a trend means that every new generation will need to be retrained which eludes towards the aim of the study; weather the Masibuyele Emasimini programmes its self and its goals are sustainable? By looking at this variable alone the findings suggest not. The lack of participation by the youth has negative implications for sustainability.
4.18.6 Impact of Masibuyele Emasimini to Beneficiaries
All beneficiaries indicated that for the first year of the program there was an increase in production and everyone was happy about the programme. All farmers dreamed to farm commercially but they said their dreams were turned down by many challenges that hindered the progress. 20% said they have still hope on the programme and the 80% said they are hopeless, secondly, that they have not hired people on their farm since the inception of Masibuyele Emasimini and the 20% said they managed to hire temporary workers for weeding and fertilisers application.
110 4.18.7 Support from Extension Officers
80% beneficiaries indicated that they have not received any support from the Extension Officers and the 20% indicated they have support from the extension officer through training and visits.
4.18.8 Recommendations from the Beneficiaries
Government should increase budgets for the programme. The Department of Agriculture should implement a proper monitoring and evaluation systems. Government should consult local Extension Officers when purchasing production inputs. It is recommended that training should be done to beneficiaries, tractor drivers and extension officers.
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