Reggie Ngcobo, spokesperson of the department, says South Africa has efficient staple grain supply for the 2020/21 season, which starts this month and ends in April 2021. He says data released by the department shows this year’s summer grain harvest will amount to 17.5 million tons, which is a 31% increase from the 2019/20 season.  OFM News' Christal-Lize Muller spoke to him...

See PODCAST below

Ngcobo says this will result in South Africa having the second biggest harvest in the country's history and farmers need to be credited for their hard work. 

He says apart from the good harvest being good news for the country in terms of food security, small scale farmers who applied for the department's Covid-19 relief fund of R1.2 billion can expect their vouchers of R50 000 per farmer soon. The department is racking up the processing process of applications and applicants who have been approved can expect their vouchers to be distributed in the following week. He emphasis that the government help will be in the form of vouchers and not cash. Applicants will be able to collect vouchers in areas directed by the department which will be closer to farmers.

That was Reggie Ngcobo, spokesperson of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development only on the Agri Hour. Meanwhile, the department of agriculture has also announced that deeds offices across the country is expected to re-open today. All services will be available and all documents lodged will be accepted. 

OFM News