The Impact of Mentorship on Farm Performance of Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy Beneficiaries in South Africa

S. Zantsi; A. Verschoor

doi:10.17159/2413-3221/2025/v53n3a21278

Authors

S. Zantsi University of the Free State https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9787-3913
A. Verschoor Agricultural Research Council https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6556-776X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2025/v53n3a21278

Keywords:

Extension Approach, Agrarian Reform, Emerging Farmer

Abstract

Evaluations of the impact of mentorship are limited. The few existing studies have a local municipalities or provincial level focus that paints an inconclusive picture at the national level. This paper aimed to assess the impact of mentorship on PLAS farm performance. A survey dataset of 1989 PLAS farms acquired between 2006 and 2018 was used. A multidisciplinary team of researchers from various agricultural fields did the assessment. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data for this specific research paper. Our results show that only 22% (423) of beneficiaries appointed mentors to support them. Having a mentor does not appear to have significantly increased PLAS farm productivity. Only 20% of farmers with mentors produced at medium-scale and commercial levels compared to 14% without mentors. The evaluation isolated significant shortcomings in the mentorship arrangements on PLAS farms. Mentorship as a form of extension is only one factor in the farm/farmer development equation. Numerous other factors are also vital in enhancing farm performance. Therefore, we conclude that mentorship had little impact on farm performance in the PLAS portfolio.

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