At a time when most industries will be reducing employment, it is hoped that agriculture will at least maintain employment in primary activities. Agriculture has kept its employment levels up because by nature it is a labour-intensive sector, employing nearly 900 000 people in South Africa directly. In fact, there are many agricultural industries, such as fruit exporters, that are currently increasing employment, albeit seasonal work.
Another reason that agriculture deserves recognition is that on a commercial level, it is a strong employment multiplier. This assists in alleviating poverty and even helps in the establishment of new businesses and investment.
Lessons from a crisis
It is well documented that food production and availability is strategically crucial to any country, but the coronavirus disease (COVID- 19) crisis has also shown the importance of being food-secure; that is, being able to produce the bulk of the country’s staple food requirements. What is key is not just the production of food, but the logistics and supply chain to make this food available at affordable prices throughout a population. In this regard, the role of the informal sector has recently been illuminated. There is a complex supply chain in the informal sector, the importance of which is becoming apparent. In this respect, future partnerships between formal producers/networks and the informal sector may become increasingly necessary.
Another lesson from the COVID-19 crisis is that food consumption patterns will most likely change in many African countries. Due to economic hardship, it is expected that expenditure will increasingly be aimed at basic foodstuffs, and more expensive food will, on aggregate, represent a smaller portion of the expenditure basket. This is not an economic benefit, of course, but a logical result of economic recession.
This story is from the May 22 - 29, 2020 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 22 - 29, 2020 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The ins and outs of having your own storage facilities
In this article, Cobus du Plessis discusses what you need to know before investing in on-farm silos.
Australia takes cautionary measures against lumpy skin disease
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a cause for concern for Australian livestock farmers, says the University of Queensland. Australian officials have been put on high alert following the spread of the disease across Southeast Asia even though there have been no reported cases in Australia.
Weather conditions hit grain production
Weather conditions have taken their toll on both the winter and summer grain regions, as well as other crops
New policy aims to accelerate service provision
Hundreds of farm dwellers in uMgungundlovu District in KwaZuluNatal benefitted as Minister of Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu launched a landmark policy aimed at accelerating access to water and sanitation services on privately owned land.
Starting a no-frills vegetable project on a small farm: Part 1
The concept of no-till is growing in leaps and bounds and is a major way of farming in countries like Brazil. South Africans should also adopt this successful method
Are nosebands really necessary?
Recent research has found evidence of bone and tissue damage in parade horses wearing nosebands, says Dr Mac.
Nurturing growth: exploring the sorghum industry in South Africa
Marguerite Pienaar, a junior economist at Grain SA, and Petru Fourie, convenor of the Sorghum Cluster, provide an overview of sorghum production in the country.
Big economic potential in cannabis and hemp
Cobus du Plessis looks at two similar industries and products with very different legislative landscapes.
Maize remains South Africa's greatest grain
Zunel van Eeden looks at maize production, and the pests and diseases that farmers should be on the lookout for to maintain their good yields and profitability.
Livestock theft in South Africa: Do the structures fail the producer?
Willie Clack, senior lecturer in criminal justice at Unisa, and a farmer in North West, analyses statistics from the South African Police Service over the past 30 years to determine the trend in stock theft.