Steenhuisen: Agriculture needs to be fully prepared for natural disasters
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen says his department needs to be better prepared for natural disasters.
Steenhuisen tabled the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development budget in Parliament on Tuesday.
It comes as the Western Cape experienced severe storms in the past two weeks while KwaZulu-Natal is battling deadly wildfires.
Steenhuisen said the department needs to be better prepared to mitigate disasters and assist farmers.
"These include transport that covers the essential road and rail routes that farmers require to get their goods to market, the ports that farmers require to get their goods to international markets and of course, the SAPS, if we are able to improve rural safety and protect our most important assets, farmers and farm workers from violent criminals.”
Steenhuisen admitted that the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease and avian flu pose a risk to production.
"In this light, the department will be focusing on a new track and trade system for the movement of animals across the country. This is becoming necessary because international export markets and trade organisations are rapidly moving to systems where trade will only be possible if such products can be traced back to their origin.”
He added that there has been a steady increase in agricultural exports.
"This year marks the first season where South Africa is able to export avocados to three new markets. Last week, the first avocados from South Africa landed in Japan, China and India. Additionally, new markets have opened for fresh beef, lamb, table grapes, and citrus in Vietnam.”
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