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BL Premium reports that SA’s agricultural sector, which has remained relatively unscathed during the Covid-induced lockdown, is set to emerge as one of the few bright spots in the otherwise depressed economic outlook for the country.
This is despite some challenges, including uncertainty around land reform and the recent move by the government to revoke a decision to consider drought a national disaster. The sector contributes about 3% to GDP and is responsible for close to 900,000 jobs. Notwithstanding the challenges the sector faces, it seems that productivity will largely be uninterrupted by the health crisis. Wandile Sihlobo of the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) highlighted that the agricultural sector has thus far successfully harvested summer crops and horticulture with minimal interruptions from the pandemic. However, farmers and agribusinesses have had to adjust their usual work processes to comply with health regulations and limit the spread of the virus. In the case of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, the infection numbers are relatively higher than most provinces. “The next couple of months, ahead of October when plantings are supposed to start, will be crucial to observe if there will be some flattening of infections or a continuous rise, specifically across rural communities,” Sihlobo pointed out.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bekezela Phakathi at BusinessLive (paywall access only)
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page