This came to light after the organisation Free State Agriculture conducted a survey amongst its members. The president of Free State Agriculture, Francois Wilken, says in a statement that the general deterioration of the province's road infrastructure does not only impede access to labour and the delivery of products, it also became a life-threatening risk, which is confirmed by numerous accidents. Wilken says that farmers are taking up the task to fix the roads themselves as he says there is a lack of government capacity, and an inability to repair roads. Meanwhile, OFM News previously reported that the provincial Department of Police, Roads and Transport agreed to make money available in order to assist the Agriculture Department to fix damaged roads.

The DA is appealing to the Minister of Agriculture, Thoko Didiza, and Minister of Cooperative Governance, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, to come to a plausible consensus with regards to the continuation of livestock auctions. Spokesperson from the party, Noko Masipa, says that this time around the regulations haven't formally stipulated the allowance or prohibition of livestock auctions. He says that the regulations just indicate that no auction is allowed. Masipa adds that the level 4 lockdown that took place last year was met with innovation auctions that witnessed the creation and implementation of hybrid systems. It ensured that a selected number of people were allowed to attend auctions. He adds that the ban on auctions will have a negative impact on farmers' finances. Auctions have been banned from 27 June to 11 July.

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The farming community of Theunissen, a small town in the Free State, mourns the loss of a profound mentor and livestock farmer, Ntate Micheal Ramholi. The Free State Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development spokesperson, Zimasa  Leputla, tells OFM News that he contributed largely to food security while sharing his knowledge with prospective farmers. He was also chairman of the Grain SA Masilonyana Study Group in Theunissen.




OFM News