By: ANG Reporter
The impact of the ongoing power outages in South Africa has brought concerns in the agricultural sector leaving farmers worried about the production of food.
AgriSA Executive Director Christo Van der Rheede said farmers are already reporting huge losses as processing machinery, irrigation equipment, and other machinery are damaged and come to a standstill due to power outages.
Van der Rheede said loadshedding contributes to inflation and may result in farmers planting less due to rising costs and disruption in planting schedules. He said loadshedding increases the cost of production for farmers at a time when South Africans are facing further food price increases and are under unprecedented economic pressure.
“With essential systems unavailable during the day, farm workers are required to work after hours. Such overtime wages increase production
costs which are already increasing,” he said.
According to AgriSA, power outages are also causing waste and financial losses due to the impact on food storage.
“Retailers are starting to reject fresh produce, mainly vegetables due to delays in delivery and disruption in the cold chain. In summer this challenge increases exponentially. This will reduce the amount of food available and increase its cost to the consumer,” Van der Rheede said.
He said while the South African economy is facing these and other challenges, AgriSA and its members are committed to working with all role players to ensure food security in the country.
“However, it requires urgent action. We trust that the Presidency will prioritize stability and safety at all power plants. As these plants are regarded as national key points, AgriSA makes an urgent request that sites of strategic importance be protected against sabotage. Violent action and crime are on the rise and are a trend that needs to be reversed in the national interest,” Van der Rheede said.
