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Labour-Related Structural Trends In South African Commercial Grain Production: A Comparison Between The Summer And Winter Rainfall Areas, 1945-1987

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  • Payne, N. L.
  • van Zyl, J.
  • Sartorius von Bach, H. J.

Abstract

Data from the end of the second World War (1945) to the 1987 production year were used to quantify the pace of change in the structure of farni(ng with regard to labour. Where possible explanations of certain parameters arc put forward with the aim of identifying the economic problem with regard to farm labour. Two structural trends in South African commercial maize production are evident in the summer rainfall areas. The period 1945-1970 witnessed a large expansion in cultivated farm area, probably because tractors replaced draught o»en. Larger areas could be managed and more labour was required. Demands on labour for harvesting were heavy until the introductio. n. of the combine harvester. alleviated .this problem. These trends were strengthened by policies aimed at lowering the costs of capital, g1vmg nse to some of the soc10-econon11c concerns expressed in this paper. In the winter rainfall region where wheat is cultivated the e,-pansion in cultivated area took place before 1945. The period under consideration (1945-1987) therefore only saw the substitution of labour for machinery, especially in the period 1945-1970. It thus seems as if labour related developments in the summer rainfall area trailed that in the winter rainfall area.

Suggested Citation

  • Payne, N. L. & van Zyl, J. & Sartorius von Bach, H. J., 1990. "Labour-Related Structural Trends In South African Commercial Grain Production: A Comparison Between The Summer And Winter Rainfall Areas, 1945-1987," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 29(4), December.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:agreko:267339
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.267339
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. van Rooyen, C. J., 1990. "Agricultural Restructuring In .Southern Africa : The Contribution Of The Developing Agricultural Sector," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 29(1), February.
    2. J. Van Zyl & N. Vink & T.I. Fényes, 1987. "Labour‐Related Structural Trends in South African Maize Production," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 1(3), pages 241-258, October.
    3. Daniel McFadden, 1963. "Constant Elasticity of Substitution Production Functions," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 30(2), pages 73-83.
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    Cited by:

    1. Liebenberg, Frikkie & Pardey, Philip G., 2012. "A long-run view of South African agricultural production and productivity," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 7(1), pages 1-25, October.

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