Ageing farmers threaten KZN's food security

Urgent action needed to attract new farmers and secure food supply

- THAMI MAGUBANE

THE farming industry in KwaZulu-Natal is facing a significant challenge of an ageing population of farmers and a lack of new entrants into the sector.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli raised these concerns in an interview with The Mercury on Friday. Ntuli, who is also the Provincial Chairperson of the IEP, discussed various issues affecting the province. He outlined both the successes and challenges faced by the government of provincia unity (GPU) to date.

Among the pressing issues he highlighted was food security, particularly in the context of commercial farming and subsistence farming that allow people to feed themselves. A few years ago, the government initiated a programme called “One Home, One Garden’, which encouraged residents to utilise any available land to cultivate food.

Speaking on the issue of commercial farming, Ntuli noted that “many of the farmers in the province are ageing, and their children are not taking up farming; instead, they are pursuing other careers’

He expressed concern over the decline in subsistence farming, stating, “In the past, approximately 70% of people were farming to feed themselves; that number has dropped significantly to around 30% or even lower” The Premier added that the government is seriously concerned about this trend and believes it needs to be addressed urgently.”

Ntulis concerns were shared by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture as well as farmer organisations.

The South African Farmers Development Association (SAFDA) said in a statement, the implications for food security are both profound and urgent.