Covid-19 outbreak is another test for resilient agriculture sector
THE agricultural sector has appeared to be resilient in this difficult period of the recession due to Covid-19.
When history is told in the years to come, the years 2019 and 2020 will stand out as the toughest the agricultural sector has ever experienced.
Reflecting on the drought in early 2019, the same drought has led provinces such as Northern Cape, North West and Limpopo to a poor summer crop and horticulture harvests.
While the Department of Agriculture, through its provincial offices, was mitigating the effects of drought and prioritising drought relief programmes across the country, foot-and-mouth disease broke out in Limpopo province.
The disease has resulted in a temporary ban on livestock product exports, including wool imports.
Most significant, the temporary ban has negatively affected livestock farmers’ income and the economic activities of agriculture as a whole.
Both the drought and foot-andmouth disease have led to lower export volumes and put a lot of constrictions on the farmers’ income.
Ahead of the 21 days’ lockdown due to coronavirus, the sector is set to be tested again on whether it can provide sufficient food for everyone in this difficult time.
It is a relief to learn that the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has also set aside at least R1.2bn to ensure that there is sustainable food production during and post the virus outbreak.
These funds would be directed mostly at assisting those who are producing vegetables and protein foods.
Pretoria