The MEC for Agriculture, William Bulwane, during the tabling of his 2019/20  departmental budget vote worth R821million, says farm workers and farmers have raised this issue.

In his budget, Bulwane says various municipal districts, which include Thabo Mofutsanyana, Fezile Dabi and the Mangaung Metro, will promote different items such as dairy, beef and vegetables.

Bulwane also indicated that his department is working together with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) which has been deployed to the neighbouring country of Lesotho with the hope of curbing the Anthrax disease threat on the livestock of our country.

He says the controversial Vrede Dairy Project still remains a key element in the department because it has the potential to help grow the economy of the province and alleviate poverty.

Bulwane says despite challenges within the agricultural sector, the sector remains the most important contributor to the economy and food hub of the country. He says this sector comprises 32 000 square kilometres of cultivated land and 87 000 kilometres of natural veld and grazing land.

"The total contribution of agriculture to the Free State Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 4.8% while the contribution nationally is 10%. In 2014 the share of agriculture in inclusive economic growth in the country was 4.3% and it increased to 5.0% in 2017. The provincial 5.6% growth protection in 2019 is encouraging and this increase will have a positive spin-off in the sector," says Bulwane.

Bulwane says the issue of climate change and variability has had negative effects on the environment and has exacerbated the effects of natural disasters and agricultural risks, such as drought and veld fires.

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