Just 15,000 of 50,000 applicants have been approved for agriculture relief payouts to small-scale farmers
31 August 2020 - 22:07While the agricultural sector escaped some of the strictest Covid-19 lockdown regulations as it is regarded as an essential service, small-scale farmers have spurned the government's R1.2bn relief package that was set aside to assist them as too little.
In April, agriculture minister Thoko Didiza announced the R1.2bn relief package to help the small-scale farmers weather the effects of the coronavirus lockdown on their operations, with priority given to women, youth and people with disabilities. The farmers have an annual turnover of between R20,000 and R1m.
Organic farmer Nomsa Ngwenya, who farms Moringa — a plant considered to be a highly nutritious superfood — at her 42ha farm in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, said she received R23,000 in relief funding from the state. “I think we are going to struggle for a long time as smallholder farmers before we can turn the corner. We could end up retrenching as a result,” said Muvhali.
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