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Kwanalu

Mediaverklaring / Media Release – SA Agri

English to follow:

25 Januarie 2019

Droogte-opname: Ernstige krisistoestande in landelike gebiede

Voedselsekerheid is ’n moeilik bekombare voorreg – wat maklik weens die voortslepende droogte verlore kan gaan. Agri SA sal belanghebbendes saambring om boere en plaaswerkers in droogte geteisterde gebiede te ondersteun. Stygende voedselpryse, wanvoeding en voedsel-ongelykheid wag vir ons indien daar nie nou iets gedoen word nie. Bedryfsorganisasies is bekommerd oor die impak wat dit op kommoditeitspryse en gevolglik op boere en verbruikers sal hê.

Agri SA het ’n opname in Desember 2018 onder ons lede gedoen, om ’n akkurate assessering van die impak van die droogte op boerdery en werkskepping te verkry.

“Die ekonomiese impak is uitermatig, maar ons moet ook aan die emosionele skade dink – mense verloor hulle werk en plase sluit op ’n tyd wanneer ons juis voedselsekerheid moet verstewig en werkskepping benodig,” sê Christo van der Rheede, Agri SA Adjunk Uitvoerende Direkteur. “Meer as die helfte van boere ly onder meer aan depressie en angs, weens die uitdagende realiteit wat deur die droogte gebring is.”

Die hoofpunte van die opname is:

  • Sedert Januarie 2018 is daar ‘n verlies van 31 000 werksgeleenthede en R7 miljard
  • 70% van respondente is onder geweldige finansiële druk
  • Meer as 50% het aangedui dat hulle werkers sal moet aflê
  • ‘n Verwoestende impak op gewasse gegewe die droogtetydperk
  • ‘n Verhoogde risiko vir veldbrande weens die dorre toestande van weidings

Kos- en waterskaarsheid skep ‘n enorme risiko vir sosio-politieke stabiliteit in die land. ‘n Gesamentlike poging is nodig om ‘n nasionale ramp af te weer.

In die volgende twee weke sal noodvergaderings gehou word om te bepaal hoe om boere en plaaswerkers in droogte geteisterde gebiede bes moontlik te ondersteun. Agri SA is alreeds in samesprekings met verskeie rolspelers, insluitend die regering, finansiële instellings en landboubesighede gewikkel.

Agri SA sal voortgaan om boere op grondvlak te ondersteun.

“Die droogte is ‘n kolossale krisis. Suid-Afrikaners wat die bekostigbare kos en drank wat ons boere produseer geniet, moet wakker skrik en besef dat voedselsekerheid en bekostigbare kos is in gevaar,” sê Omri van Zyl, Agri SA Uitvoerende Direkteur. “Sedert die einde van 2015 het Agri SA se Droogterampfonds meer as R18 miljoen spandeer om ons boere, plaaswerkers en gemeenskappe te ondersteun. Ons doen weer ‘n beroep op die publiek om te help.”

Agri SA is dankbaar vir die ondersteuning van die publiek en ander organisasies wat poog om boere te help. Die publiek moet egter waaksaam wees en seker maak dat hul skenkings na ‘n geloofwaardige organisasie gaan en dat die skenkings opgevolg kan word.

Navrae:

Christo van der Rheede

Agri SA Adjunk Uitvoerende Direkteur

(S) 083 380 3492

(E) christo@agrisa.co.za

Nicol Jansen

Agri Noord-Kaap President

(S) 082 948 2629

(E) nicoljansen@telkomsa.net

Media release

25 January 2019

Drought survey: Severe crisis conditions in rural areas

Food security is a hard-won privilege and can easily be lost due to the persistent drought. Agri SA will rally all stakeholders to support farmers and farm workers in drought afflicted areas. Rising food prices, malnutrition and food-inequality will be our future if nothing is done. Commodity organisations are very concerned about the impact on commodity prices and how that will translate to farmers and consumers.

Agri SA conducted a survey in December 2018 among our members to accurately assess the impact of the drought on farming and job creation.

“The economic impact is severe, but we need to think of the human cost as well – people are losing their jobs and farms are closing down at a time when we need to strengthen food security and create more employment,” said Christo van der Rheede, Agri SA Deputy Executive Director. “More than half of the farmers are suffering from depression and anxiety, among others, due to the challenging reality caused by the drought.”

The salient points from the survey are:

  • 31 000 jobs lost and R7 billion lost since January 2018
  • 70% of respondents struggle financially
  • Over 50% reported the need to retrench farm workers
  • A devastating impact on crops due to continuing drought
  • An increased risk of veld fires due to the arid conditions of pastures

Food and water scarcity pose a severe risk to socio-political stability in the country. A collective effort is required to prevent a national disaster.

In the next two weeks emergency meetings will be held on how to best assist farmers and farm workers in drought-stricken areas. Agri SA is already in discussions with various role players, including government, financial institutions and agribusinesses.

Agri SA will also continue to support farmers on the ground.

“The drought is a colossal crisis. South Africans, who are enjoying the affordable food and drink that is produced by our farmers, need to wake up and realise that food security and affordable food are at risk,” said Omri van Zyl, Agri SA Executive Director. “Since the end of 2015 Agri SA’s Drought Disaster Fund has spent more than R18 million to help our farmers, farm workers and communities. We again call on the public to help.”

Agri SA is thankful for the support from the public and other organisations that seek to help farmers. However, the public must ensure that when making a donation, that the organisation is credible and that the funds can be traced.

Enquiries:

Christo van der Rheede

Agri SA Deputy Executive Director

(C) 083 380 3492

(E) christo@agrisa.co.za

Nicol Jansen

Agri Northern Cape President

(C) 082 948 2629

(E) nicoljansen@telkomsa.net