The Impact of Wine Grape Harvester on Labour in Western Cape Province of South Africa

Mechanization and technology in agriculture are becoming more and more evident, not only in developed countries, but also in African countries, and more specifically South Africa. The objectives of the study were to identify the factors that impact labourers when wine grape harvesters are used on farms in the Western Cape Province of South Africa by answering the research question of ‘‘Which factors affect labour usage on farms that use mechanical harvesters for harvesting grapes?’’ The study utilized a survey, secondary data, and a binomial logistic regression model. The study shows that increasing hectares used for the production of wine grapes, farmer’s age, machine output and average labour output has a significant impact on the reduction of seasonal labour as well as permanent labour on the farms. The study recommends that the government should intervene or introduce legislation to mitigate the effect of mechanical harvesting of grapes on labour. The government should encourage producers to keep farm workers, given technological advances, which discourage the retrenchment of farmers who apply technology advancement, but retain labourers. The government can also provide incentives to producers who apply technological advancement, but retain labourers.