Hola MaHigh-School - April 2020

SA Government a
to the tune
The minister of Agriculture, land reform and rural
development, Thoko Didiza has announced a relief
grant for small-scale farmers who have a turnover
of between R20,000 and R1 million annually.
However, Didiza said farmers must understand that
the relief is not for the payment of debt. This is very
interesting as debt is generally a challenge faced by
farmers. But the minister clarified that this grant is
aimed at the challenges farmers face specifically in
food production.
Minister
Farmers have mentioned challenges faced, including
the inability to pay labourers, transporting
produce, not having permits of movement and accessing
markets during the lockdown period. Some
farmers have been hit hard by the pandemic.
“This intervention is excluding mechanisation,
infrastructure and other overhead costs. This is
not a comprehensive support but an intervention
with regards to the challenge the country is facing.
Farmers going into production in summer 2020 will
not be supported because they are not producing
immediately” the minister further clarified.
To acknowledge the disparity faced by female
farmers, youth in agriculture and people with disabilities,
the minister mentioned that these groups
will be prioritised. “We will target at least 50% of
women in those who would have applied, 40%
youth and people with disabilities at 6%.” Said the
minister.