Essay --

This paper analyses the causes and challenges that the South African agricultural sector faces regarding the increasing unemployment in the sector and how it has an overall affect on the total unemployment rate in South Africa. The following statistics have been taken from the South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The analysis of these statistics shows that unemployment in the agricultural sector has been increasing over the years, which has contributed to the overall unemployment rate increasing in South Africa. This research shows that there is a direct link between the overall unemployment rate increasing throughout the country and the unemployment in the agricultural sector. This is due to undeveloped rural areas and the policies directed at the agricultural sector. Introduction: The agricultural sector is made up of two sectors, being the commercial farming sector, which is mainly in the commercial areas of the country and subsistent farming, which is mainly in the rural areas. Most of the agricultural income comes from commercial farming, but due to the low amount of commercial farmers in South Africa the potential for improving the employment rate lies with the subsistent farming. The agricultural sector of South Africa plays a main role in creating a strong and stable economy. With improvements to the agricultural sector, the sector has the ability to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty and improve the divide between the rich and poor. With improvements to the agricultural sector the come for the lower class citizen would be increased and greater employment opportunities would be created, which will in turn improve the total unemployment rate in... ...pments can play is a great one. The government started the New Growth Plan, in which they hope to create 5 million new jobs by 2020, focusing on the agricultural sector and its potential to create jobs. Conclusion: South Africa has an agricultural economy made up of two sectors, commercial farming and subsistent farming. Most of the income comes from commercial farming however the potential for most of the employment lies within the rural or subsistent farming. The agricultural sector of South Africa has an important role in creating a strong economy and creating one that is more stable. With the right handling of the sector it can provide the basis for this economic growth and help reduce poverty and the growing divide between rich and poor. Income for the lower class would be increased and greater employment opportunities created in the agricultural sector.