Western Cape producers have donated tons of fresh produce over the past week to FoodForward SA who is assisting people in the most vulnerable communities that are experiencing food shortages during the Covid-19 containment period.

Mr Jannie Strydom, CEO of Agri Western Cape, says the country will have to deal with many communities within the next few weeks who will not know where their next plate of food will come from. He says agricultural producers understand the humanitarian crisis that may arise during this period.

“As one of the most important role players in the Western Cape, the agricultural sector accepts its critical role in the well-being of the province and all its residents. The donation of fresh produce is our contribution to assist our communities in this very difficult time and making a difference in people’s lives,” he said.

Mr Strydom thanked producers and farm workers who continue to work to produce food during the lockdown period. He also thanked the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning for their role in coordinating food donations and aid projects.

Mr Andy Du Plessis, Managing Director of FoodForward SA, says that they are so grateful for the generous donations of fresh produce, which will greatly increase the nutritious value of the food support they provide. “It is much needed at a time when people can’t earn a daily income during the lock down,” he said.

Du Plessis says the fresh produce has been distributed to aged care facilities, facilities caring for orphans and vulnerable children, and people living with HIV/Aids and TB.

Green beans donated by a producer in Stellenbosch being collected.

Agri Wes-Kaap het kennis geneem van die R25 miljoen wat die nasionale regering vir droogte-ondersteuning in die Sentraal-Karoo en Tuinroete-distrik bewillig het.

Die Sentraal-Karoo is vanjaar in ‘n sesde jaar van droogte. Agri Wes-Kaap lewer steeds droogtehulp aan veeprodusente in die gebied.

Mnr Jannie Strydom, uitvoerende hoof van Agri Wes-Kaap, sê enige bydrae tot droogtehulp word verwelkom. “Agri Wes-Kaap sal wel wil weet hoe die bedrag tussen die onderskeie projekte waarvoor die geld geoormerk is, ingedeel gaan word en wat die bedrag is wat na veevoer vir produsente gaan.

“Projekte om die impak van die droogte te versag is eweneens noodsaaklik en Agri Wes-Kaap het waardering vir die provinsiale Departement van Landbou se visie om belangrike intervensie-projekte soos bewaringslandbou en die uitwissing van indringerspesies aan te pak,” sê hy.

Mnr Strydom sê die droogtetoestande in die Kliprand- en Bitterfontein-omgewing in die Weskus-distrik is geweldig kritiek met veeprodusente wat hier ook in ‘n sesde jaar van droogte verkeer. “Selfs met goeie reën dié winter gaan die natuurlike weiveld hier etlike jare neem om te herstel,” sê hy.

DROUGHT SUPPORT FOR WESTERN CAPE WELCOMED

Agri Western Cape took note of the R25 million allocated for drought support in the Central Karoo and Garden Route district by the national government. The Central Karoo is currently in its sixth year of a drought and Agri Western Cape continues to provide drought assistance to livestock producers in the area.

Mr Jannie Strydom, CEO of Agri Western Cape, says any contribution to drought assistance is welcomed. “Agri Western Cape would like to know how the amount will be divided between the various projects earmarked, and what amount will go towards livestock feed for producers.

“Drought mitigation projects are equally essential and Agri Western Cape appreciates the provincial Department of Agriculture’s vision to tackle major intervention projects such as conservation agriculture and the eradication of invasive species,” he says.

Mr Strydom says the drought conditions in the Kliprand and Bitterfontein areas in the West Coast district are severe and livestock producers here are also in a sixth year of drought. “Even with good rainfall this winter, the natural grazing will take several years to recover,” he says.

Media Release by Minister Ivan Meyer on the decision to grant the Western Cape R25m in drought mitigation support.

19 March 2020

WESTERN CAPE TO RECEIVE R25 MILLION IN DROUGHT SUPPORT

Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer has expressed his gratitude on the news that the Western Cape will be receiving an additional amount of R25 million towards drought mitigation interventions in the Central Karoo and Garden Route Districts.

Minister Meyer: “I welcome the news that the National Government has allocated R25 million towards drought mitigation in the Central Karoo and Garden Route Districts. The funds will assist in alleviating some of the impact of the drought bringing much needed relief to some of the most severely affected by the drought.”

Projects that will be implemented include fodder for livestock in the extremely critical areas, stock watering systems, conservation agriculture, alien clearing and fencing.

Climate change predictions have shown that the Western Cape will become drier with an even more erratic rainfall pattern.  Authorities will therefore have to mitigate this by stepping up the management of natural resources such as land, water, soil, plants and animals.

“It is therefore imperative that we manage our natural resources effectively as sustainable resource management will improve the economic viability of the agriculture sector in the Western Cape” said the Minister.

Mr Strydom says it is a pity that the Matzikama area in the West Coast district will not benefit from the contribution. “The drought conditions in the Kliprand and Bitterfontein areas are severe and livestock producers are in a sixth year of drought. Even with good rainfall this winter, the natural grazing will take several years to recover.”

Mnr Strydom sê dit is jammer dat die Matzikama-gebied in die Weskus-distrik nie by die bydrae gaan baat nie. “Die droogtetoestande in die Kliprand- en Bitterfontein-omgewing is geweldig kritiek met veeprodusente wat in ‘n sesde jaar van droogte verkeer. Selfs met goeie reën dié winter gaan die natuurlike weiveld hier etlike jare neem om te herstel.”

Agri Western Cape understands that the demands placed on Minister Tito Mboweni and his Department from all sides are big, but for the sake of a sustainable agricultural sector, Agri Western Cape would like to hear Minister Tito Mboweni address the following issues in his budget speech this week:

1. In his recent State of the Nation address, President Cyril Ramaphosa referred to the negative impact of the drought. What amount will be made available for drought relief? More funding should also be made available for research on alternative crops, strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change and to include producers of long-term crops, ostriches, dairies and wildlife in drought relief.
2. Funding for the expansion of water storage capacity, with a timeline attached to it, to show the government’s commitment to a solution to the country’s water crisis. What is the situation with the Clanwilliam Dam?
3. More support for agricultural colleges and institutions involved with skills training relevant to agriculture for sustainable knowledge and expertise in the sector.
4. The cost of electricity has risen by more than inflation over the past decade and consumers can no longer carry the costs of mismanagement and corruption at Eskom. A detailed plan for Eskom, and the incorporation of alternative energy generators, are needed.
5. What is the budget for land reform, the provision for post-settling support to beneficiaries, and for training potential beneficiaries as referred to by President Ramaphosa in his recent State of the Nation address? Agricultural extension services must also be urgently upgraded.
6. What will be allocated for rural security. The SAPS must be strengthened to prevent and deal with road closures and damage to infrastructure during protest action that cripples the economy.
7. Maintaining and upgrading infrastructure such as roads in rural areas should be prioritized. This also includes the upgrade of ports to handle more loads and to function efficiently again.
8. Vinpro, on behalf of the wine industry, calls on government for a relief on excise duties, as well as support on various aspects influencing the wine industry. This includes opening up markets through preferential trade agreements, infrastructure development, rural safety and responsible policy formulation regarding land reform. Although there is great progress in the wine industry with transformation and socio-economic development programmes, partnerships and funding is needed to expand on this. The sustainability of producers in drought-stricken areas also pose a threat to the industry, and assistance is required with this as well.

Minister Mboweni now has the opportunity to show his department understands the critical role of the agricultural sector in the economy. The support that agriculture will receive in the budget will indicate whether his department is committed to supporting the agriculture sector for the sake of food security, economic growth and investment.

Agri Wes-Kaap besef die eise wat uit alle oorde aan Minister Tito Mboweni en sy Departement gestel word is groot, maar ter wille van ‘n volhoubare landbousektor sal Agri Wes-Kaap graag wil hoor dat Minister Tito Mboweni in sy begrotingsrede dié week aandag aan die volgende kwessies gee:

1. President Ramaphosa het in sy onlangse staatsrede na die negatiewe impak van die droogte verwys. Watter bedrag gaan vir droogtehulp beskikbaar gemaak word? Meer fondse is ook nodig vir navorsing oor alternatiewe gewasse, strategieë om die uitwerking van klimaatsverandering te versag en om produsente van langtermyngewasse, volstruise, melkerye en wild ook by droogtehulp in te sluit.
2. Befondsing vir die uitbreiding van water-opgaarkapasiteit, met ‘n tydlyn daaraan gekoppel, om die regering se verbintenis aan ‘n oplossing vir die land se waterkrisis te wys. Waar staan ons met die Clanwilliam-dam?
3. Groter finansiële steun aan landbou-kolleges en instansies gemoeid met vaardigheidsopleiding relevant tot die landbou ter wille van volhoubare kennis en kundigheid in die sektor.
4. Die koste van elektrisiteit het die afgelope dekade met meer as inflasie gestyg en verbruikers kan nie langer die koste dra van wanbestuur en korrupsie by Eskom nie. ‘n Detailplan oor Eskom en die inkorporering van alternatiewe energie-opwekkers is nodig.
5. Watter bedrag word vir grondhervorming begroot en word voorsiening gemaak vir ondersteuning aan begunstigdes ná vestiging, en vir die opleiding van potensiële begunstigdes waarna President Ramaphosa in sy onlangse staatsrede verwys het? Landbou-voorligting moet ook indringend opgeskerp word.
6. Wat gaan vir landelike veiligheid bewillig word? Die SAPD moet versterk word om die sluiting van paaie en die beskadiging van infrastruktuur tydens protesoptrede wat die ekonomie verlam, te voorkom en te kan hanteer.
7. Die onderhoud en opgradering van infrastruktuur soos paaie in landelike gebiede moet geprioritiseer word. Dit sluit die opgradering van hawens ook in om meer vragte te kan hanteer en weer doeltreffend te funksioneer.
8. Vinpro doen namens die wynbedryf ‘n beroep op die regering vir verligting op aksynsbelasting, asook bystand rondom verskeie ander aspekte wat ‘n invloed op die wynbedryf het. Dit sluit die ontsluiting van markte deur voorkeurhandelsooreenkomste, infrastruktuurontwikkeling, landelike veiligheid en verantwoordelike beleidsformulering rondom grondhervorming in. Hoewel die wynbedryf reeds vordering met transformasie en maatskaplike programme toon, is vennootskappe en befondsing nodig om dit uit te bou. Die volhoubaarheid van produsente in droogtegeteisterde streke hou ook ʼn bedreiging vir die bedryf in, en bystand word hiermee versoek.

Minister Mboweni het nou die geleentheid om te wys sy departement verstaan die kritiese rol van die landbousektor in die ekonomie. Die steun wat die landbou in die begroting gaan kry, sal wys of sy departement verbind is om die landbou ter wille van voedselsekerheid, ekonomiese groei en investering te ondersteun.

Agri SA welcomes the Western Cape High Court’s ruling earlier the week in a matter concerning the Philippi Horticultural Area and the impact of a proposed residential development on one of Cape Town’s crucial underground aquifers.

On 17 February 2020 Judge Kate Savage ruled in favour of the Philippi Horticultural Area Food and Agricultural Campaign and its convenor, Nazeem Sonday, in their protracted campaign to stop the development of 479 hectares of land owned by Oakland City Development Company (Pty) Ltd in Philippi, Cape Town.

The Court ruled that key factors concerning the impact of the development on the Philippi aquifer and the concomitant impact on climate change and water scarcity had not been taken into account by the MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning: Western Cape or the City of Cape Town in applications for environmental authorisation and rezoning of land directly adjacent to an important vegetable farming area in the city.

“This matter represents a significant legal development concerning the consideration of underground water resources in South Africa, particularly in respect of the competing interests between the agricultural sector on the one side and the need for residential and industrial development on the other,” said Janse Rabie, Head of Agri SA’s Natural Resources Centre of Excellence. “Decisionmakers must take our underground water resources into account when deciding on whether or not to allow residential and industrial developments in or around agricultural areas.”

The Court ordered that earlier decisions in this regard will now have to be re-considered by the MEC as well as the City’s General Appeals Committee.

Agri SA verwelkom Wes-Kaapse Hof se beslissing oor Philippi Tuinbou Area ontwikkeling

Agri SA verwelkom die Wes-Kaapse Hoërhof se beslissing van vroeër vandeesweek oor die Philippi Tuinbou Area en die effek van ‘n voorgestelde residensiële ontwikkeling op een van Kaapstad se belangrikste ondergrondse akwifers.

Regter Kate Savage het op 17 Februarie 2020 ten gunste van die Philippi Horticultural Area and Agricultural Campaign en sy sameroeper, Nazeem Sonday, beslis in hul uitgerekte veldtog om die ontwikkeling van 479 hektaar grond, wat aan Oakland City Development Company (Edms) Bpk behoort, in Philippi, Kaapstad te stuit.

Die hof het beslis dat sleutelfaktore met betrekking tot die ontwikkeling van die Philippi akwifers en die gepaardgaande impak van klimaatsverandering en waterskaarste nie deur die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Minister vir Plaaslike Regering, Omgewingsake en Ontwikkelingsbeplanning van die Stad Kaapstad in ag geneem is in aansoeke vir omgewingsmagtiging en die hersonering van grond wat direk aan ‘n belangrike groenteboerderye gebied in die stad grens nie.

“Hierdie saak verteenwoordig ‘n belangrike regsontwikkeling wat betref die oorweging van ondergrondse waterhulpbronne in Suid-Afrika, veral met betrekking tot die mededingende belange van die landbousektor aan die een kant en die behoefte aan residensiële en industriële ontwikkeling aan die ander” sê Janse Rabie, hoof van natuurlike hulpbronne by Agri SA. “Besluitnemers moet ons ondergrondse waterhulpbronne in ag neem wanneer besluite geneem word om residensiële-en industriële ontwikkelings in of rondom landbou areas toe te laat of nie.”

Die hof het gelas dat vorige besluite in dié verband deur die Provinsiale Minister en Stad se Algemene Appèlle Komitee nou heroorweeg sal moet word.

Agriculture producers in the region of the Clanwilliam Dam who still need water for the next few months, are concerned about the level of the dam. The dam currently stands at 36% compared to last week’s 40%.

Mr Cornie Swart, President of Agri Western Cape, says although it is almost the end of the season, temperatures are still very high. Citrus producers, vineyard producers that need to apply post-harvest fertilizer and producers who have replaced vineyards in the drought with cash crops like vegetables, still need water.

Mr Swart says there is a possibility that producers may be subject to water restrictions if the dam level drops to 25%. He says there is no clarity when construction work on the Clanwilliam Dam will begin and agriculture has no security that it will. The Department of Water and Sanitation last year said that construction work would be completed by March 2023.

“Agri Western Cape will welcome the commencement of the construction work. The area is a large citrus producing region with the ideal climate for it, but water remains the challenge,” he said. He says with a water quota, approximately 5,000 ha of land between the Bulshoek and Clanwilliam dams can be developed with high-value export crops such as citrus and table and wine grapes. It will also create opportunities for land reform projects and the establishment of new producers.

VLAK VAN CLANWILLIAM-DAM WEK KOMMER VIR LANDBOU

Die huidige vlak van die Clanwilliam-dam het landbouers in die omgewing wat nog vir die volgende paar maande water nodig het, bekommerd. Die vlak van die dam het Dinsdagoggend 18 Februarie op 36% gestaan, teenoor 44% die vorige week. Mnr Cornie Swart, President van Agri Wes-Kaap, sê hoewel die einde van die seisoen naby is, is dit steeds baie warm en het sitrusprodusente, wingerdprodusente wat na-oes bemesting moet toedien en produsente wat hul wingerde as gevolg van die droogte uitgehaal het en kontantgewasse soos groente aangeplant het, nog water nodig. Hy sê die moontlikheid is groot dat produsente wéér aan waterbeperkings onderwerp kan word as die damvlak tot by 25% daal.

Mnr Swart sê daar is nog geen duidelikheid wanneer bouwerk aan die Clanwilliam-dam gaan begin nie en die landbou het geen sekuriteit dat dit wel gaan gebeur nie. Die Departement van Water en Sanitasie het in Augustus verlede aangevoer die bouwerk sal in Maart 2023 afgehandel wees.

“Agri Wes-Kaap sal dit verwelkom as bouwerk kan begin. Die gebied is ‘n groot sitrusproduserende streek met die ideale klimaat daarvoor, maar water bly die uitdaging. Ongeveer 5 000 ha grond tussen die Bulshoekdam en die Clanwilliam-dam kan met ‘n waterkwota hoëwaarde uitvoergewasse soos sitrus en tafel- en wyndruiwe ontwikkel wird en geleenthede vir hervormingsprojekte en die vestiging van nuwe produsente skep. Die vraag is wanneer gaan die regering ingryp om in die waterbehoeftes van die provinsie en die land te voorsien.

Mr Jannie Strydom, CEO of Agri Western Cape, says the demand for electricity in the agricultural sector is basically inelastic. As a result, producers can do little to reduce the specific cost of electricity in the short term, that can account for up to 20% of direct cost.

The fact that the cost of electricity has increased above inflation over the past decade, but product prices have not increased accordingly, confirms how serious the situation is. It contributes to the cost-squeeze effect that agricultural producers find themselves in.

The time lag between Eskom applications, Nersa’s decisions and eventual Eskom activities, can lead to unforeseen risks and Agri Western Cape is not convinced that the request for a further amount of about R27 billion is necessarily correct.

There are simply too many things in the application that are unclear and that indicate – in Agri Western Cape’s opinion – that Nersa and Eskom are not on the same page. This is clear from the different views on how capital expenditure should be accounted for and the impact on cash flow; differences between approved and actual diesel consumption; variations between approved and actual energy costs (coal); unrealistic expectations with regards to the retrenchment of employees, and similar RCA applications that still haven’t been dealt with for the previous three years and have led to legal proceedings. The fact that Eskom, according to the application, can’t cover interest obligations from current income, indicates that it could not be considered as a going concern. The entity finds itself in a debt spiral, which is a serious concern.

Agri Western Cape believes Eskom’s cost structure should be made available to the public in greater detail. The role and effectiveness of Nersa should also be investigated, given aspects such as poor oversight over contracts. All RCAs must be consolidated to determine the potential impact on tariffs. The latter should be subjected to independent audits beforehand. Negotiated electricity prices for sectors such as the agricultural sector should be considered for the medium term.

Widespread rain on Sunday 19 January in large parts of the Western Cape brought relief to many drought-stricken areas, especially in the Southern Cape. The Buffeljags Dam in Swellendam overflowed and the Langtou River at Herbertsdale is running for the first time in four years. The Gouritz river is also partly running after good rainfall in the Albertinia region.

Mr Cornie Swart, president of Agri Western Cape, says the entire Breede River / Riviersonderend system has received plenty of water. “The drought in a large area east of the Hottentots-Holland Mountains to Plettenberg Bay has to a large extent been broken. However, this does not include the Oudtshoorn, Calitzdorp, Montagu, Barrydale and Little and Central Karoo areas. Follow-up rains in these regions are critically needed for farm dams and catchment dam levels and for natural grazing to recover. In the Little Karoo we are holding thumbs that enough rain will fall in the mountains for rivers to run,” he said.

Mr Swart says most of the catchment dams in the Langeberg area up to Mossel Bay are full, which means agricultural producers now have irrigation water that they haven’t had for a long time. However, the level of the Keerom Dam, which producers in the Koo and Nuy Valley need for irrigation, is still a concern, he says.

“The West Coast district of the province also needs plenty of rain and is still critically dry. We believe that the winter rainfall regions will also have a good rainy season this year,” he said.

Landbouers in die Sentraal- en Klein-Karoo van die Wes-Kaap is hoopvol dat die volgende paar weke nóg goeie reën gaan bring nadat hierdie droogtegeteisterde gebiede verlede week welkome reën gehad het.

“Ons is dankbaar dat die nuwe jaar op so ‘n geseënde manier vir ons produsente in die Karoo begin het wat al vyf jaar onder die droogte gebuk gaan. Die reën het baie hoop gebring, maar nog nie uitkoms nie,” sê mnr Jannie Strydom, uitvoerende hoof van Agri Wes-Kaap.

Hy sê opvolgreën is krities nodig vir plaas- en opgaardamvlakke en vir die natuurlike weiding om te herstel. “Produsente kan dalk een of twee jaar van ondergemiddelde reënval hanteer, maar die uitwerking van vyf jaar se ongergemiddelde reën kan waarskynlik net uitgewis word met vyf agtereenvolgende bogemiddelde jare. Ons glo verlede week se buie is die begin van ‘n goeie reënseisoen.”

Mnr Strydom sê produsente in die Klein-Karoo hou duimvas dat genoeg reën in die berge val omdat die uitkoms ook daarin lê dat die riviere moet loop.

Ten spyte van die reën is produsente in die Sentraal- en Klein-Karoo nog lank nie uit die moeilikheid nie. Agri Wes-Kaap lewer steeds droogtehulp in die Karoo en die Matzikama-distrik aan die Weskus.

Foto: Die Trakarivier in die omgewing van Prins Albert is na vier jaar weer aan die loop.

Agri SA 12 Dec 2019

“Eskom has implemented stage 6 load shedding from 18:00 to 22:00 on Monday evening, catching the South African economy off guard,” says Nicol Jansen, Agri SA’s chair of the Centre of Excellence: Economics and Trade. “The latest round of load shedding comes at a very important and busy time for producers and agribusinesses.”

Load shedding has a negative impact on energy-intensive and irrigation-dependent agricultural industries, throughout the entire chain from farm gate to the consumer’s home. The maintenance of the cold chain is critical to ensure food quality and shelf life.

The table grape and the fresh produce commodities are specific examples where load shedding in peak season have dire consequences for agriculture.

“All packhouses and cold stores are dependent on electricity,” says Willem Bestbier, the CEO of the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI), a member of Agri SA’s Commodity Chamber. “The product is highly perishable, and maintenance of the cold chain and a cold temperature regime form part of formal and legally binding international phytosanitary measures. Temperature breaks in phytosanitary shipment protocols can disqualify products for export and thousands of jobs and gross export earnings in excess of R7 billion at farm level are at immediate risk.”

“Fruit is currently in different stages of ripening and optimal water management is critical,” says Jacques Jordaan, CEO of the Canning Fruit Producers’ Association (CFPA), a member of Agri SA’s Commodity Chamber. Power outages have a direct impact on water management practices in orchards and in many cases water shortages cannot be corrected later. As a result, smaller fruits are produced that results in a loss of revenue for the entire value chain.”

Furthermore, load shedding will have a negative impact on GDP growth, as was seen earlier this year. Considering Eskom’s recent RCA tariff application (R27 323 million), the burden of load shedding is even more unacceptable.

“We need our economy to grow and create job opportunities for all South Africans,” says Jansen.

Agriculture is prepared to work with the government to implement plans for the benefit of the South African economy.

“We have a variety of green energy solutions in agriculture and would like to see Eskom work with us to diversify the generation opportunities that includes solar and wind energy” says Jansen.

It is in the interest of the whole country to resolve the energy crisis in the short, medium and long term.

BEURTKRAG: LANDBOUKRISIS DREIG

Agri SA 12 Desember 2019

“Eskom het Maandagaand fase-6 beurtkrag vanaf 18:00 tot 22:00 ingestel, wat die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie onkant betrap het,” sê Nicol Jansen, voorsitter van Agri SA se Sentrum van Uitnemendheid: Ekonomie en Handel. “Die jongste rondte beurtkrag kom op ’n besondere besige tyd vir produsente en landboubesighede.”

Beurtkrag het ’n negatiewe impak op energie-intensiewe en besproeiing-afhanklike bedrywe van landbou, regdeur die hele ketting vanaf plaashek tot in die verbruiker se huis. Handhawing van die koue-ketting is krities om kwaliteit van voedsel en rakleeftyd te verseker.

Die tafeldruiwe en varsproduktebedrywe is spesifieke voorbeelde waar beurtkrag in die spitsseisoen ernstige gevolge vir die landbou inhou.

“Alle pakhuise en koelkamers is afhanklik van elektrisiteit,” sê Willem Bestbier, die uitvoerende hoof van die Suid-Afrikaanse Tafeldruiwe Industrie (SATI), ‘n lid van Agri SA se Bedryfskamer. “Die produk is hoogs bederfbaar, en handhawing van die koue-ketting en ’n lae-temperatuur-regime vorm deel van formele en wetlik bindende internasionale fitosanitêre maatreëls. Temperatuur-onderbrekings in die fitosanitêre verskepingsprotokol kan produkte vir uitvoerdoeleindes diskwalifiseer. Pakhuise is uiters arbeidsintensief en duisende werksgeleenthede en bruto-uitvoerverdienste van meer as R7 miljard op plaasvlak is onmiddellik in gedrang.”

 “Vrugte is tans in verskillende rypwordingsfases en optimale waterbestuur is krities,” sê Jacques Jordaan, die uitvoerende hoof van die Inmaakvrugte Produsente Vereniging  (IVPV), ’n lid van Agri SA se Bedryfskamer. “Kragonderbrekings het ’n direkte impak op die waterbestuurpraktyke in boorde en watertekorte kan in baie gevalle nie later reggestel word nie. Gevolglik word kleiner vrugte geproduseer wat ‘n verlies aan inkomste vir die hele waardeketting inhou.”

Verder kan beurtkrag ook ’n negatiewe effek hê op BBP-groei, soos ons vroeër vanjaar gesien het. In ag genome Eskom se onlangse RCA-tariefaansoek (R27 323 miljoen), is die las van beurtkrag selfs meer onaanvaarbaar.

“Ekonomiese groei en werkskepping vir alle Suid-Afrikaners is uiters belangrik,” sê Jansen.

Landbou is bereid om saam met die regering te werk om planne te implementeer tot voordeel van die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie.

“Ons het ‘n verskeidenheid groenkragoplossings vir die energiekrisis in Suid-Afrika en sal graag wil sien dat Eskom saam met ons werk om die energievoorsieningsnetwerk te diversifiseer met onder andere son- en windenergie” sê Jansen.

Dit is in belang van die hele land om die energiekrisis in die kort-, medium- en langtermyn op te los.