Corona Virus, CoVid-19 and its Impact on Agriculture and Farming in South Africa

Picture above: cartoon courtesy of Gary Varvel (see garyvarvel.com)

The message from the Intensive Growers Association began with the usual wit from Johan van Veenendaal at Cedara: JUST IN CASE YOU THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN THIS MESSAGE BEFORE, PLEASE READ IT AGAIN, AND THEN APPLY YOUR REASONABLE MIND WITHOUT PANIC.

If it had been a WhatsApp message it would have been followed by the laughing face with tears. Usually. Coronavirus, the CoVid-19 pandemic is with us, and it was another email announcing a postponement of an agricultural function (others include the Royal Show, the SA Cheese Festival and the annual no-till events in Reitz and Ottosdal). This followed the National State of Disaster declared by the state president, Mr Ramaphosa, on Sunday evening.

The agricultural media has been full of headings to do with the virus. Landbouweekblad looks at the effect on wine farmers, grain and meat prices. The editor, Chris Burgess writes: “Koronavirus raak ons almal” [coronavirus affects us all]. The Agbiz newsletter opens with “Covid-19 is an unprecedented viral disease that is and will in future have a massive impact on society and the global economy”.

Apart from the standard encouragements to wash hands often; avoid touching people, surfaces, your own face; and avoiding crowds, we wondered if there were any other tips of particular significance to farmers. The press release from farmer union TLU SA summed up matters concisely, and we quote (most of) it below:

We want to emphasise that everyone should keep perspective and not go overboard,” says Mr Louis Meintjes, the president of TLU SA. “The coronavirus has the potential to have an enormous negative impact. The danger, however, is that the perception of the possible consequences could cause more damage than the virus itself. The decisions already hold far-reaching economic implications. It could have an even more significant impact on the sustainability of businesses, in future.

“In no way do we want to create the idea that we can ignore the situation and just carry on as normal,” says Mr Meintjes. “Things are not normal, and we should act accordingly.”

The minister of agriculture, Ms Thoko Didiza, on Monday 16 March, called an urgent meeting with all the roleplayer in agriculture to discuss the way forward. All roleplayers had the opportunity to give input and a task team – consisting of the department and organised agriculture – was put in place. TLU SA serves on the task team. The task team will  communicate all decisions as they are unlocked.

During the ministerial meeting, the minister confirmed that auctions would continue, for the time being, to ensure the livestock industry doesn’t face any further damages after foot and mouth disease knocked the sector earlier this year. The goal is to protect food security and the agricultural economy.

The success of the government’s emergency measures depends on society’s willingness to implement it. Our members should take further steps to limit the possible damage of the coronavirus.

Workers:

• Inform workers of the virus and how it spreads;
• Emphasise the importance of personal hygiene and ensure soap and water is available for them to wash their hands;
• Discuss the risks of socialising in big groups over weekends, while there is still uncertainty over the momentum of its spread. Explain the benefits of voluntary isolation;
• Monitor the health of workers and their families;
• Do long-term planning of rations with a longer shelf life.

Access to farms:

• Strictly apply the farm protocol for access to farms. Persons visiting a farm for whichever reason should wear face masks and properly clean themselves before continuing with the activities of the planned visit;
• Be alert of criminals abusing the coronavirus to get access to farms under false pretences;
• Consider using farms as a type of quarantine area, granting only approved access.

Crime:

• Uncertain circumstances can lead to a rise in incidents of crime. You can expect crime to increase when local economies come under pressure, and there is a shortage of products on shelves;
• Take precautionary measures with protective gear like face masks and gloves when interacting with criminals or making arrests.