Organised agriculture bodies have called for urgent financial mechanisms to be put in place to support black farmers. "Farmers do not get enough support. To be a new farmer in this country, whether black or white, is almost impossible," Japie Grobler, chair of the Agri Sector Unity Forum (ASUF), said on Monday. The ASUF is an umbrella body representing the interests of a diverse range of agricultural groups, namely the African Farmers Association of SA‚ the Transvaal Agricultural Union of SA‚ the National African Farmers Union of SA and Agri SA. With the land reform issue, particularly expropriation without compensation, being debated intensely, the organisations said land reform will fail without post-settlement support for new farmers. Failure to support farmers "should not happen … we need new farmers to be able to access markets and finance, and create employment. We need to make sure we have a bank to help farmers with low interest rates," Grobler said. National strategy ASUF m...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.