One of the factors contributing to sustainable farming systems is the way in which human resources are effectively implemented in achieving the goals and objectives of the organisation. In this paper equity sharing is discussed as a means of human development via broadening access to and ownership of land and capital assets in the farming business, as well as a changing perception amongst farm workers of themselves, the business and management. Some of the positive effects which resulted from equity sharing on a fruit farm in the Western Cape are higher productivity, higher levels of job satisfaction and participation in decision maldng at both enterprise and task level. The management style is one of the determinants in successfully implementing equity sharing as a means of contributing to sustainability in farming. Equity sharing, like participative management, is not a quick fix for farm businesses experiencing problems in human resource management.