Perceptions about the AgriSETA skills training program by three selected farmer cooperatives (or farmer cooperative societies) in the North West and Mpumalanga provinces, South Africa

Abstract

The study was influenced by the world’s growing interest in cooperatives, evidenced by the United Nations General Assembly declaring 2012 the International Year of Cooperatives. From a South African perspective, the study is influenced by the Cooperative Data Analysis System developed in 2013/14 by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, to determine the economic impact of cooperatives. Three factors were raised by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, namely, cooperatives’ importance, markets, and skills. The study assessed AgriSETA skills training programmes based on these factors. The aim of the study was Perceptions about the AgriSETA skills training program by three selected farmer cooperatives (or farmer cooperative societies) in the North West and Mpumalanga Provinces, South Africa. The sub-objectives were to establish socio-economic characteristics, the effectiveness of the training, and changes in the business orientation of the farmers trained. Purposive sampling was done. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The cooperative farmers in the skills training programmes were youthful(<45 years); unmarried women; unemployed; with moderate education levels; low income; and crop farmers in rural areas. Seventy percent of the farmers were happy with the practical training provided by AgriSETA. Skills acquired were technical, theoretical, and practical. The business orientation relating to cooperative management, service provider links, farming practices, marketing, and finance, improved. Cooperative farmers remained in the low-income level bracket despite an increase. projects. Besides skills acquired, other factors like project funding, incubators, and strong involvement of stakeholders are needed. The benefits to communities were fresh produce, skills, and information. Communities started backyard vegetables and poultry. Keywords: griSETA, cooperatives, skills, buAsiness orientation