Die dinamika van boereverenigings in Suidwes-Afrika

Abstract

English abstract taken from Agricultural Research, summaries of theses, 1973, p. 180:

Adjustment of external relations (adaptation) is limited by insufficient contact with community leaders, insufficient supplementation of community activities and the personal affiliations of members, and, in many instances, by an inactive District Farmers' Union. For example, certain factors such as planning, leadership, cohesion, communication and participation were found to influence the adjustment of the members to internal relations (integration). Inadequate planning was found to limit group action because of conflicting interests and negative results. The unwillingness and inability of some leaders to delegate authority has led to the inefficient use of committee members and a decrease in the number of committee meetings held

Where cohesion is low, members are not motivated to participate in group action. Cohesion is often low because members do not agree on the way farmers' problems are handled. People in the Northern Sub-region identify themselves to a greater extent with farmers' associations. The same applies to people occupying higher positions in the organization, especially those who are younger and those with more formal education. Group action is also limited because communication in the farmers' associations does not encourage the dissemination of knowledge and the exchange of ideas. The excessive use of lectures and formal discussions also discourages satisfactory participation by members in group activities

It is recommended that farmers' associations take steps to ensure that their goals and objectives are not only clearly stated but also brought to the attention of the members. It is further recommended that the associations adopt a system of self-evaluation in terms of basic group functions, and that effective methods be introduced to facilitate the dissemination of knowledge and the cultivation of favourable attitudes to conservation farming. Use of the programme development cycle may prove advantageous to the organization. Furthermore, extension officers should attend group activities of the farmers' associations more regularly. They should urge the associations to give top priority to the maintenance, improvement and optimal use of natural resources by participation in extension programmes. Moreover, a better knowledge of the principles of group dynamics should prove advantageous to Organized Agriculture as well as the Extension Service and closer co-operation between these institutions should have a mutually beneficial effect