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The Agriculture, Land and Rural Development portfolio committee has called on Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza to intervene urgently to stop the disruption of the agricultural value chain, which supplies South Africa and neighboring countries with food.
The committee said it received a number of complaints from commercial and small-scale farmers regarding issues affecting their agricultural activities.
This has included the illegality of livestock auctions (generally fewer than 50 people), access to spare parts and implements vital to agricultural activity, lack of support, especially for small farmers as offices are closed, and farmers who return to the borders with fresh products. due to issues with required permissions.
Commercial and small-scale farmers appealed to the minister, requesting a special waiver for everyone in the agricultural value chain that ensures the nation’s food security and allows food to reach markets and distribution centers without interruptions that may adversely affect , both in terms of costs and additional time, in the food that reaches the markets.
The committee said it is also concerned about South Africa’s ability to meet the requirements of international customers and markets, as these countries will go elsewhere if the country does not supply them.
“We call on the Department of Agriculture to improve its support to its constituency, small-scale and commercial farmers, in the best interest of the country and our nation.
“The consequences of a prolonged disruption of the agricultural value chain are too severe to imagine and the impact on the nation will be of epic proportions.”
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