Food security a priority during lockdown - Didiza
Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza says the sector will continue to operate in order to ensure food security while South Africa is under a 21-day lockdown.
On Monday President Cyril Ramaphosa announced several sweeping measures to curb coronavirus including a nationwide lockdown for 21 days
The lockdown will take effect on Thursday at midnight.
This has led to concerns over food supply, but Didiza says agricultural food production will not be compromised.
"Exports and imports of critical export commodities and the logistical measures will continue this lockdown period to ensure that there is global and national food security.
"We have been working with the industry since last week to identify what are the core elements that need to remain operational and how we protect those workers in those entities."
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The announcement was made by Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize in Tshwane on Tuesday. "I want to then say that 554 cases have been recorded overnight, as of 23:00 Monday," he said. "We have five confirmed conversions who have turned negative who were positive in the original list, most of our people are in a good condition many are not symptomatic," said Mkhize.
Livestock auctions are also set to go ahead but under strict conditions.
Didiza says the department will also make provisions to assist struggling farmers.
"The department has also set aside a package of R1.2 billion to address the effects of coronavirus and ensure sustainable food production post the pandemic.
"We are working with the land bank and R100 million will be transferred to assist farmers under distress, those that have loans under the Land Bank."