Farmer's Weekly reports this assurance was given to a delegation of the National Animal Health Forum, which met with top officials from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development this week. Gerhard Schutte, the chairperson of the forum, says the meeting involved a discussion on the impact of inadequate vaccine supply on the agriculture sector. The majority of South Africa had received above-average rainfall in the past few months, which had led to concerns about the outbreak of deadly diseases such as Rift Valley fever. These kinds of diseases were transmitted by biting insects, such as mosquitoes, whose populations increased after heavy rainfall.

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development says it is optimistic about 2022. This, as the 2021/22 production season started with good rains across the country. However, the department's spokesperson, Reggie Ngcobo, says there are areas where the rains have been excessive, and farmers faced delays with plantings. Furthermore, the department announced that the South African agricultural sector is ending this year on a positive note. Ngcobo says the 2020/21 season brought a bumper harvest in field crops and horticulture, leading to increased exports from a production perspective.

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