The agricultural sector is an important contributor to employment, but a relatively marginal contributor to the aggregate GGP, estimated at 9,7% (GSDM, 2007a). According to farmers in the area, the main reason why the sector doesn’t contribute more to GGP is because of water scarcity. Other reasons could include the combined effects of land claims, which creates uncertainty and discourages further investment, as well as the low growth of global commodities.
Agriculture in the Sekhukhune District is a mixture of both commercial and subsistence farming. As indicated in the earlier spatial profile, subsistence farming tends to dominate land use in the District. Commercial agriculture in Sekhukhune tends to be concentrated in twoareas:
√ The south-western part of the District (near Groblersdal and Marble Hall).
√ The eastern section of the District (near Burgersfort and Ohrigstad).

(a) Commercial agriculture
Over the past 5 to 10 years, farmers in the area have faced mounted difficulties with falling commodity prices and rising input costs. Despite this, agriculture’s contribution to GGP continues to be roughly 10% and, in 2001, provided 16% of the formal employment within the District (Womiwu Rural Development, 2006a).
There are two major areas of commercial cultivation:
√ The Loskop scheme
√ The Ohrigstad scheme

(a1) The Loskop scheme
The towns of Groblersdal and Marble Hall are found in the Loskop Valley. The commercial agricultural schemes in this valley are serviced by the Loskop Dam, built in 1938 especially for this purpose. In addition to the Loskop scheme, there are 5 smaller schemes within the Loskop agricultural area:
→ Moosrivier scheme
→ Olifants River scheme
→ Elands River scheme
→ Selons River scheme
Collectively, these contribute significantly to commercial agriculture in the area.
The past 10 years have placed Loskop farmers under increasing pressure as rising input costs, a stronger local currency, lower commodity prices and external competition have all taken their toll. One of the responses on the part of local farmers has been to diversify the crops they produce. The collapse of the once lucrative tobacco industry has also pressured farmers in the area to look at different options. As a result, there has been a growing emphasis placed on establishing permanent crops, such as citrus and table grapes, in the area.

Main crops in Loskop
Tobacco, Wheat, Cotton, Soya beans, Citrus, Paprika, Pumpkin, Peas, Commercial vegetables, Seed maize, Commercial maize, Table grapes, Dry beans, Watermelons and cantaloupes