The Role Of Farmers During The Covid-19 Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic had brought new appreciation for the pivotal role that South Africa’s agriculture sector plays in the provision of healthy, sufficient and affordable food, according to Derek Mathews, chairperson of Grain SA. He spoke to Annelie Coleman.

- Annelie Coleman.

South African farmers’ dependence on multinational input suppliers has resulted in a situation where input costs are out of sync with local output and profit margins, according to Derek Mathews, chairperson of Grain SA. Annelie Coleman

Do you believe that the coronavirus disease (COVID- 19) pandemic has given rise to an increased public appreciation of the role that agriculture and those who work in the sector play in the provision of sufficient and affordable food and fibre in South Africa?

I think that many people have never had reason to think about where their food comes from, and this pandemic has helped them to consider and perhaps have a new appreciation for what we as farmers do every day. We’ve seen a new wave of [social media posts] thanking farmers, and it’s appreciated. However, much of the response originates in our agricultural media. It would have been nice had it come from public opinion, as it has for medical and security services. That would indicate a true shift in appreciation for the agriculture sector. We’re experiencing a much better relationship with government at this point and hope that we can build on this new approach.

The sector has been pivotal in informing government on the supply situation of food at this time, and this played into decisions that government had to make about measures to manage the impact of the pandemic. Food is the most basic need of people after water, followed by shelter.

Do you anticipate that COVID-19 will cause those policy and decision-makers, including politicians, who were prone to negative statements and opinions about commercial agriculture, to reassess their opinions?