intsika yethu local municipality - Provincial Spatial Development plan

5.4.5 AgricultureAgriculture is the largest industry within the primary sector in IYLM. However this industry remains smalland underdeveloped when compared to the entire economy of the municipality. What is most notableabout the Agricultural sector in IYLM is the fact that as an industry, agriculture is decreasing in terms ofthe absolute size that it contributes to the IYLM economic output. In 1996, The Agricultural sectorcontributed 18.6% to the local economy; this figure had fallen to 14.6 by 2005. Subsequently theAgriculture industry is also offering fewer employment opportunities in recent years. Currently onlyaround 0.4% of employed individuals in IYLM are employed in the Agricultural industry.Opportunities in the agricultural sector are prevalent despite the fact that the industry continues toperform poorly. As stated in the SWOT analysis, IYLM has good grazing land and soil which is suitable forintense commercial grazing. There are a number of projects that have been embarked upon by the IYLMwith the intension of harnessing the potential of the agriculture industry. These include:Irrigation and agricultural projects from Lubisi to Ncora Dams; andASGISA driven agricultural projects, projects, fruit growing (peaches/plums nectarines) inCofimvaba.Table 33: Agriculture SWOT AnalysisStrengthsWeaknessesOrganised farmers unionSupport System from governmentExpertise within government and private sectorAvailability of land for various agriculturalcommoditiesEstablished irrigation infrastructureLack of InformationLack of Integration towardsagricultural developmentPoor co-ordination amongst thevarious role playersPoor planningPoor infrastructureOpportunitiesThreatsHigh potential soils and grazing land for intensivecommercial farming systems;Value additionMarket LinkagesJob CreationPartnerships (PPP)Stone FruitIntensive Goat Production ProgrammeNatural disasters (Veld Fires,Storm, Dry spells);Source: IYLM 2020 LED Strategy and Implementation Plan, 200782