This is according to William Bulwane, MEC of Agriculture and Rural Development in the province, following the attack on Andries Myburgh on the farm Vandermerwesdam last Monday. Myburgh was eating lunch in his house when he smelled smoke and went to investigate, after which he was hit over the head with an object. Gasoline was also poured over him and realising he is on fire he managed to jump into his swimming pool. 

Myburgh was able to fire shots at the two attackers, after which they fled on foot. Bulwane says this working relationship shows that through teamwork a lot can be achieved. The department and Free State Agriculture (FSA) also last week signed a memorandum of understanding. OFM News' Christal-Lize Muller spoke to Bulwane...

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He says there were four issues that were agreed upon in the memorandum, which include issues around rural safety, farm support, border crime, and mentorship programmes for smaller emerging farmers. He says the stack holders then agreed that it is important to come up with a document in which these common issues are identified, after which it needs to be addressed. 

Covid-19-pandemic

The challenges facing the industry after strict lockdown regulations because of the pandemic, include its effect on the world economy as large airports, including local airports, were closed. The export of products could not take place. This situation has put the local economy in a weaker position but the good thing is that the country's recovery plan is clear - that agriculture is the only stable economy that still exists. This sector can utilise people to make sure that at the end of the day, through its services, people are provided with food. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and that is what we need to brace ourselves with. 

Vrede Dairy Project

There is a court order that is governing the project. It states that the department of agriculture must continue with the project. He says it also states a mentor needs to be appointed.  That is why the department is not abandoning the project. This financial year the department budgeted R20 million for it, even if the project doesn't make a huge profit it is good that the court order states the project should not be abandoned. The court order also states that the Department of Agriculture should develop one beneficiary list, as there were three lists before.

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