The ARPM Agricultural Development Model

The ARPM Agricultural Development Model

Stes de  Necker

Through a combination of skills, experience and expertise, a unique co-operative economic and sustainable  farming system was developed by Stes de Necker and Mann Oelrich of South Africa. This development model, known as the ARPM Development Model, has the potential to not only benefit existing land owners – both established and emergent, but also has the potential to once again bring unproductive arable agricultural land back into active production, to stimulate the development of rural agriculture and to grow the GDP of the country where it is applied.

The thinking behind the development model is a direct result of the concern about diminishing food production while a considerable number of available hectares of potentially productive land are lying underutilized in Africa. This concern is reinforced by the call of agriculturalists, politicians and the general public for attention to this critical problem.

The proposed model has the element of sustainable food production, job creation, in-house training and the upliftment of rural communities as its core function. The successful application of proven practices led by experienced practitioners, using the latest technology and practical business principles, could go a long way to encouraging replaced skilled farmers to re-establish themselves as self-sustaining agriculturalists.

Already in 2004 it was evident in South Africa that poorly developed agricultural development policies will not achieve its socio- economic objectives. Uncoordinated and sometimes haphazard funding of agricultural related projects failed to achieve the economic growth needed in this sector of the economy.

These unsuccessful policies, coupled with the increased economic demands on the agricultural sector, resulted in failed land reform and agriculture related development projects throughout South Africa. Numerous once productive and vibrant farming enterprises are currently little more than unproductive wasteland. The biggest threat to future food security in South Africa and the rest of Africa, is the current exodus of farmers from the agricultural sector due to economic pressures. During the period 2000 to 2009, 175,000 farm workers in South Africa lost their jobs as a result of  farming enterprises closing down.    

The increasing application of modern crop rotation systems, the development of new technology and the application of new tillage methodologies are rapidly creating vast new possibilities to solve the problems experienced with previous orthodox farming practices.

The ARPM Development Model is recognized by leading South African economists as one of the best designed and economically viable development models, containing all the key elements necessary to restore the agricultural potential of Africa. This potential is not limited only to grain production, but through the application of these same principles, could suit the particular requirements of most branches of agricultural production.

Any one interested in obtaining more details about this model can contact Stes de Necker via E-mail at  lasiandra@telkomsa.net