KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (KwaNALU) says 30% to 40% of farmers are likely to shut down before the end of this year due shortage of resources, natural disasters and disease outbreaks in the province. 

KwaNaLU’s CEO Sandy La-Marque was part of the post-budget speech consultative engagement in Durban.  

La-Marque says farmers are facing serious challenges that require urgent government intervention. She says farmers affected by the imposed US tariffs should not be overlooked.  

“Critically, right now, we are dealing with serious challenges, which are the economic viability of farmers. If you are unable to produce your crop viably, sustainably, and profitably, it means farmers won’t exist. About 30%to 40% of farmers may not survive until the end of the yea,r and it is very serious.”  

The consultative engagement is currently underway as MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa engages with farmers, producers, and agricultural experts.

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Meanwhile, responding to the tariffs matters, KZN MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa says that whilst this matter is being handled at national level, the provincial government is also engaging all relevant stakeholders.  

“There are two major crucial issues that are affecting the communities in the province, that is FMD and tariffs but we need to discuss with relevant people which are farmers and to explain to them that although we are affected as KZN but it is the national issue and the president together with finance minister are dealing with that so that they don’t feel isolated.”