The Office of the Premier has advised struggling farmers to make use of renewable energy sources during protracted load shedding.
THE OFFICE of the Premier has advised struggling farmers to make use of renewable energy sources during protracted load shedding.
Farmers in the Northern Cape have indicated that they are losing their livelihoods because of power outages and that they are unable to make use of alternative energy sources as they also require electricity in order to function.
The spokesperson for the Office of the Premier, Bronwyn Thomas-Abrahams, pointed out that there was an ample supply of renewable energy in the Northern Cape.
“Smallholder and commercial farmers should take advantage of the scorching sun rays and strong winds and invest in renewable energy. Government is aware of the challenges confronting the agricultural sector,” said Thomas-Abrahams.
She added that the provincial government was working with the national Department of Agriculture to formulate a viable plan to assist those severely impacted by the drought and extreme heat.
“The Office of the Premier, together with the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, acknowledges the frustrations of farmers in our Province, due to inconvenience brought by load shedding on their businesses.”
Thomas-Abrahams stated that the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, together with leaders of the agriculture sector and food, fibre and beverages value chains, had convened a meeting last week to assess the impact of load shedding on business activity and plans for the sector moving forward.
“The technical work of measuring the financial costs is under way and will help draft the sector strategy.
“The task team will also explore short-, medium- and long-term interventions, to ease the burden of load shedding within the farming, food, fibre and beverages value chains.”
She added that the minister would establish a small sector task team, comprising of government, industry participants and energy specialists to monitor the impact of load shedding in the sector and its ability to provide safe and nutritious food to South Africans.
“With the possible development of alternative energy sources within the sector being analysed at the meeting, government is urging both smallholder and commercial farmers to take advantage of and invest in renewable energy.
“The MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Mase Manopole, has called a stakeholders meeting on January 24 to further look at plans to lessen the impact. The premier will be furnished with a report on this engagement.”
