Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Commercial banks currently contribute 75% towards agricultural financing in South Africa, while the Land Bank’s 30% share in 2000 has fallen to 8%.
These figures on agricultural financing came to light in a debate on the subject initiated by the Agricultural Business Chamber (ABC).
The debate follows Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s request for a further urgent look into agricultural financing, and especially development finance.
It would appear that the 60 000 farming units in the country 15 years ago have declined to fewer than 40 000.
Farm units have increased in size while the ratio of debt to gross income on farms has improved.
From the discussion it became clear that small farmers were finding it increasingly difficult to access funding against the background of the stricter credit-control regulations.
One source of difficulty is the abolition of the old Agricultural Credit Board, which means that qualifying farmers can no longer access finance at favourable interest rates.
It also appears that agencies doing development finance are hamstrung by government regulations and that the agencies’ mandate needs to be broadened if they are to have a positive role.
A document containing proposals to improve agricultural financing is being drawn up and will be handed to Treasury and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing.
- Sake24.com
For business news in Afrikaans, go to www.sake24.com.
These figures on agricultural financing came to light in a debate on the subject initiated by the Agricultural Business Chamber (ABC).
The debate follows Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s request for a further urgent look into agricultural financing, and especially development finance.
It would appear that the 60 000 farming units in the country 15 years ago have declined to fewer than 40 000.
Farm units have increased in size while the ratio of debt to gross income on farms has improved.
From the discussion it became clear that small farmers were finding it increasingly difficult to access funding against the background of the stricter credit-control regulations.
One source of difficulty is the abolition of the old Agricultural Credit Board, which means that qualifying farmers can no longer access finance at favourable interest rates.
It also appears that agencies doing development finance are hamstrung by government regulations and that the agencies’ mandate needs to be broadened if they are to have a positive role.
A document containing proposals to improve agricultural financing is being drawn up and will be handed to Treasury and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing.
- Sake24.com
For business news in Afrikaans, go to www.sake24.com.
