Abstract
This study investigates the effectiveness of strategic planning in supporting the development of the agricultural sector within Rustenburg. Recognising Rustenburg's agricultural potential, alongside its mining economy, the research specifically examines the support mechanisms implemented by the Rustenburg Local Municipality and the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. By assessing the types and impacts of support offered to local farmers, this study aims to determine whether strategic interventions positively influence farmers' capacity to sustain and expand their businesses, thus promoting local economic development.
Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines qualitative interviews with stakeholders from the Rustenburg Local Municipality and the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development with a quantitative analysis of responses from local farmers. This study uses the Ordinary Least Squares method for effective data analysis and meaningful insights. Through multiple regression analyses, it examines the relationship between types of support received and their effects on agricultural productivity and sustainability. The findings indicate that inputs (0,03294), capacity development, and skills training (0,0000) positively impact the registered local farmers. In contrast, enterprise development (-0,05740), infrastructure equipment (-0,00039), and production machinery (-0,00012) negatively impact the registered local farmers. This comprehensive data collection approach offers a deeper understanding of the strategic connections between municipal and provincial support programmes and the challenges faced by Rustenburg's agricultural community. The total sample size of this study is fifty-eight. It includes twelve registered local farmers, ten unregistered local farmers, seven local economic development practitioners from the Rustenburg Local Municipality and the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and twenty-nine registered local farmers from the secondary data of the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 financial years of the Rustenburg Local Municipality.
Findings reveal that while strategic support has led to some negative and positive outcomes, limitations persist. Only a subset of support the programmes is fully accessible to local farmers. The results suggest that a stronger alignment of resources, particularly toward long-term agricultural infrastructure, could enhance the sector’s impact on Rustenburg’s economy. Consequently, the study offers critical...