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| Title: | Contract Farming and Outgrower Schemes: Asparagus Production in Lesotho |
| Authors: | Rugege, Sam Santho, Sehoai |
| Year: | 1989 |
| Periodical: | Eastern Africa Economic Review |
| Issue: | Special issue |
| Period: | August |
| Pages: | 20-41 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic term: | Lesotho |
| Subjects: | contract farming small farms vegetables Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Development and Technology Economics and Trade |
| Abstract: | This study is based on a survey of nearly 300 asparagus outgrowers in Maseru District, Lesotho, conducted in 1987-1988 and interviews with government officials and representatives of the processing company. Key features of contract farming in Lesotho are discussed. Public policy issues are examined including the Lesotho economy, the agricultural development strategy, land tenure and land management issues and the relationship between the Lesotho government and foreign aid agencies. The production system in which outgrowers are involved, particularly the complex contractual relationships between outgrowers and the agribusiness company, is examined as well as the processing and marketing structure. The position of women as growers and dominant workers at the processing plant is examined including problems they face and the implications of seasonal employment. The increasingly important role of the Asparagus Growers Cooperative Society is discussed. Key factors determining the success of the asparagus outgrower scheme are: suitable agro-climatic conditions; smallholder, family-based production with a high level of self-exploitation by the farmer; effective extension services; a guaranteed market in Europe and availability of concessionary capital resources to the processing company and, to a lesser extent, to the outgrowers. The study indicates that asparagus is a unique crop. Although the outgrower scheme is largely a success, its replicability in other product lines would not be easy. Notes, ref. |