This is according to Aggrey Mahanjana, group managing director of the National Emergent Redmeat Producers Organisation (Nerpo). Mahanjana adds that culprits mainly targeted poor and communal farmers. OFM News’ Elsabé Richard spoke to him about this issue as well as other challenges livestock farmers faced in 2020…

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He adds that since July this year to date, stock theft escalated in a manner that they have never experienced, as perpetrators were “cleaning the kraals on a daily basis.” Both small and large stock farmers are plagued by this crime.

Another challenge that emerged before the outbreak of the virus, which had an effect on the entire country, is the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Limpopo.  Mahanjana explains that in November 2019, public auctions were prohibited which made it difficult for farmers to sell their livestock. He explains that this went on until about February this year. But, farmers, and specifically emerging farmers, suffered another blow in March when Covid-19 lockdown regulations also stated that public livestock auctions could not commence as normal.

Mahanjana says while most commercial farmers were able to take part in virtual auctions, some emerging farmers did not have the means to access these auctions. “So, for the emerging livestock farmers 2020 was a serious blow,” he adds.

Furthermore, Mahanjana says the organisation hopes that 2021 will be a beautiful year for both livestock and crop farmers. This, as weather forecasters predict good rainfall for South Africa.

He also adds that he hopes to see farmers from all races unite against evils such as farm attacks and murders. “This issue of rural security is also one of our biggest problems which really calls for farmers - black and white, yellow and blue, to really come together and be united and fight all evils against farmers,” he explains.

He wishes all farmers the best of luck for 2021 as well as a Merry Christmas to all.

OFM News