The Gauteng provincial government has pledged to assist farmers affected by the Fall armyworm currently causing damage in crops in the province. MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, Lebogang Maile made these remarks during a site visit to affected farms in Bronkhorstspruit and Bapsfontein. The MEC said the spread of the armyworms was a potential threat to food security and negatively affected the economic activities of small-scale farmers in the province. “Our provincial government has made R6 million available to assist affected farmers and we are expecting further assistance from national government,” said Maile.
The Fall armyworm can be one of the more difficult insect pests to control in maize crops. Outbreaks were first reported in west and central Africa at the start of 2016. They’ve since jumped the equator into Burundi‚ Zambia‚ Zimbabwe and Malawi and have already spread to 6 provinces in South Africa. Professional Scientist in the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Shandukani Netshifhethe said South Africa is currently affected by the 1st generation worm and there are fears that if not curbed, the 2nd generation pest will cause more devastation for farmers and our economy.
Farmers Peter and Sarah Buda, who have a farm in Bapsfontein and started farming in March 2007, asked MEC Maile to intervene as this worm was a threat to their livelihood, food security and the people they employ on their farm. The MEC said the R6 million they have set aside may not be enough because the problem is spreading. “There are cases which have been reported in Bapsfontein, Sedibeng and Tshwane, at least those who have been identified will be assisted in the next few days,” he explained.
The MEC also reiterated his department’s desire to witness the growth of more black farmers in the sector. “We want to make sure that the overwhelming majority, especially the historically disadvantaged are integrated into the mainstream of our economy and we have to do that working with everybody including the private sector to ensure there is systematic and decisive intervention on the part of government,” he said. Maile also stated that they will continue to avail grants and help small farmers so they can ultimately become big commercial farmers.