Agri Hour
#SADrought: Generous public aid fulfills government’s task, says #AgriEasternCape─── CHRISTAL-LIZE MULLER 06:30 Tue, 07 Jan 2020
Agri Eastern Cape has saluted the general public, across the country, for their drought assistance last year.
The public’s financial contributions, animal fodder, water, food and other donations made a huge difference to not only farming communities in the Eastern Cape but also in other drought-stricken provinces. The president of the organisation, Doug Stern, says through these drought aid donations the public is indeed fulfilling the government’s responsibility. According to him, the situation would have been worse if it wasn’t for the public’s generosity. He says the provincial department of agriculture now need to realise the importance of a solid working relationship with organised agriculture because stakeholders cannot afford to work in “silo’s”.
OFM News’ Christal-Lize Muller spoke to Stern…
See PODCAST below
He, however, compliments the dedication shown by the national agriculture minister, Thoko Didiza, in this regard and he hopes organised agriculture can in future work through Didiza to get the Eastern Cape government and agricultural department on board. Stern slams the provincial government for their lack of response and action after meeting stakeholders. The department seems to disregard organised agriculture’s support and advice, says Stern. According to him, organised agriculture has always extended a hand of assistance to the Eastern Cape’s hierarchy, but for some reason they prefer not to use it which is in return a huge shame because South Africa is moving forward in a society where the focus is on cooperation by all stakeholders. Together with that, the Eastern Cape’s government’s lack of vision is extremely frustrating, says Stern.
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