South Africa’s lack of support for farmers is worrying and will have negative consequences for the agriculture sector if not addressed, a farm expert said on Thursday.
South African farmers have raised concerns over a critical lack of support from the government, which has seen farmers’ fortunes take a dive after a massive cut in state subsidies.
Jan Groenewald, professor of agricultural economics at the University of the Free State, said urgent support was needed for emerging farmers, many of whom are dependent upon the government to become profitable in farming.
”The people who are hit hardest are the new farmers, and the government needs to look at things like training for them. There’s mentorship but it’s not enough and extension services are weak,” Groenewald said at an agriculture conference in Pretoria.
”There is also a need to increase capacity drastically in the Department of Agriculture to help farmers,” he said.
”Will the South African government continue its lack of support for agriculture? Will emerging farmers be able to access inputs, information and markets?”
Rising food prices in South Africa have put pressure on the local farming sector to improve output and possibly bring prices down.
The high food prices have seen the Reserve Bank failing to keep within it’s 3% to 6% inflation target.
”If we do not do anything soon, including some of the things I have mentioned, then I’m afraid we’ll have a gradual slide,” Groenewald said. – Reuters