Service Providers

Service providers, in the context of infrastructure, farm layout and enterprise selection, are people that can supply the farmer with information, services or material to provide, maintain and develop infra structure on the farm.

Service providers can be:

• Consultants that provide the farmer with advice on the lay out of the farm or enterprise selection as well as the use of different products.
• Trained agricultural engineers, or soil technicians can assist with the measuring of the farm, the planning and design of structures such as dam, roads, contours and waterways
• Technical staff to advise the farmer on irrigation design, methods and planning of the systems
• Representatives from seed, fertiliser, herbicide and pesticide companies
• Extension officers from the department of Agriculture or the Co-ops can also assist the farmer with the planning and enterprise selection
• Suppliers of material for the developing of the infra structure
• Inspectors from the department of health
• Buyers from different commodity brokers
• People that do repair and maintenance work on the farm buildings, equipment and other infra structure.

The Role of Service Providers

Service providers play a supportive role to support the farmer or manager in the planning of the infrastructure. They can also assist with the whole farm planning and advice on financial and marketing matters.

What kind of information can be obtained from service providers?

• Advice on financial matters
• Advice on labour matters
• Advice on mechanisation and equipment needed
• Latest development in the production field • Marketing advice and quality control
• Advice on pest and disease control with animals
• Advice on weed and pest control in plants
• Advice on feeding and care for animals
• Advice on fertiliser and cultivation methods

What is a database?

A database is a list of information that is compiled for a specific purpose, e.g. an address list of herbicide suppliers in your area. The farmer or manager can compile the information from different source documents, newspaper, agricultural magazines, personal contact, telephone directory and the Internet.

The importance of having a database of service providers:

• Once the list is set up correctly, information can be withdrawn in a nick of time.
• The database can put you in contact with the correct person to solve your problem
• Prices can be compared when inputs need to be purchased
• Alternative suppliers can be selected without delay
• Service providers that can assist with the analysis of data or can provide programs to analyse the data are
• ARC – at their various sections for different commodities
• Input suppliers e.g. fertiliser or pesticide companies - soil and leaf samples
• Product processors – Milk co-ops, fruit packers, wine makers
• Computer software distributors
• Internet – SA weather service
• AGIS web page www.agis.agric.za for satellite photos of the farm
• Universities, Agricultural Colleges and other research institutes
• Commodity brokers • Bank officials dealing with Agriculture
• Suppliers of tractors and implements
• Market agents
• Transport contractors
• Agriculture contractors

Information that should be in a database:

The following information should be captured in a database of service providers.