South Africa: Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in Rehearsal to Assist Small Scale Farmers

By Abdul Rahman Bangura –

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS ( NADN ) Freetown, Sierra Leonne- South Africa’s Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development on April 6th, approve pleas from despicable small-scale farmers, that desire economic consolation from the wreck of Coronavirus (COVID-19). This pursues last week’s statement of the R1.2 billion COVID-19 emergency fund intervention in the agricultural sector, as an acknowledgment to assist small-scale farmers.

On April 6th, 2020 Thoko Didiza – the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development confirmed facts of how the allotment will help during a basic media briefing.

Requisitions will close on April 22nd, 2020 and application forms can be accessed on the department’s website www.dalrrd.gov.za and through national, provincial, district and local offices of both the national Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and Provincial Departments of Agriculture. Applications will be roomed electronically at applications@dalrrd.gov.za or submitted to the offices as outlined. And that, late applications shall not be accepted.

Of the R1.2 billion that has been ring-fenced, R400 million has been rationed for planters within the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) program and the overstock will be channeled to other growers that are primarily within the following merchandise sectors: Poultry: Day-old chicks, point-of-lay chickens, feed, medication and, sawdust.

Additional stock sectors will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, as the department continuously regulates the consequence of COVID-19 on the sector fertilizer. South African nationals, who have been busily planting for a minimum of twelve months and presently in the harvest season. Be registered on the Farmer Register, commodity database or provincial database. Those who are not on the Farmer Register will be registered to benefit.

Smallholder farmers with an annual pastry between R50 000 and R1 million. The adjudication procedure will prioritize women 50%, youth 40% and people with disabilities 6%. And Mechanization, infrastructure, and overhead costs will not be supported.

“This is not comprehensive support but an intervention package amid COVID-19.

“Farmers who are preparing for the 2020 summer production season will not be supported.

“The aim is to provide immediate to near-term support to smallholder farmers currently affected by COVID-19,” said Didiza.

Farmers who are currently receiving support through another programmes of government and its entities will also not benefit, and there will also be no payment of farmer debts.

Through the Land Bank, Didiza said R100 million has been made available to assist farmers in distress and the bank is available to allow farmers to engage with them to indicate the nature of support they require.

Didiza urged all employers within the sector to fully comply with all the applicable prescripts, as published by Government Notice No. 318 of 18 March 2020 and amended by Government Notices Nos. R 398 of 25 March 2020 and R419 of 26 March 2020. She said farmers who will be supported must also apply good farming practices in order to ensure that the environment is protected for further production.

“Together as stakeholders within the sector, we have a mandate to ensure that there is access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food for our country,” Didiza said.

1 United States = 18.60 South Africa Rand

For New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports,  Africa Correspondent