An implementation evaluation of the Eastern Cape rural development strategy : agrarian transformation and food security

[摘要] ENGLISH SUMMARY : It is more than six years since the launch of the Eastern Cape Rural Development Strategy/Ilima Labantu (ECRDS) which was seen as a catalyst for rural development in the province. The ECRDS came as a response to national policy priority on rural development and it intended to align with all relevant key policy frameworks across all spheres of government in order to improve the lives of the rural communities. It became apparent that agricultural development and food security are the main drivers of rural development in the country and elsewhere in the world. Hence, the mandate of rural development in the Eastern Cape was given to the then Department of Agriculture which became known as the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform. However, the implementation of the ECRDS still faces a plethora of challenges and, in turn, poverty, underdevelopment and unemployment remain glaring amongst the rural poor.The study focused on the evaluation of the implementation of ECRDS, concentrating on the pillar of agrarian transformation and food security. Evaluation studies, by nature, determine project/programme or policy relevance, implementation, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability. Based on the evidence gathered, it became apparent that agriculture plays a pivotal role in improving rural livelihoods and many rural communities benefited from these programmes. However, planning and credible budgeting are hampered by lack of a farmer database. Budget expenditure shows inconsistencies in the form of upward and downward trends. There has not been a significant budget increase to accommodate the rural development mandate. Therefore, rural development in the Eastern Cape remains an unfunded mandate.A number of recommendations are made for improving the implementation of the ECRDS's agrarian transformation and food security pillar, namely creating jobs, dealing with poverty and ensuring improved sustainable rural livelihoods.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University