Growth in agriculture down to hard work, says AgriSA
AgriSA said the positive growth in the agricultural sector is down to a very good export year and seasonal rain.
The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 51% in the second quarter of 2020 amid the Covid-19 lockdown.
Stats SA released the latest GDP figures at its headquarters in Pretoria on Tuesday.
The latest figures show that the only positive contributor was the agriculture sector, which showed growth of 15,1%.
AgriSA deputy president Christo van de Reede says there was a lot of hard work behind the scenes to achieve this feat.
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"AgriSA is happy that agriculture has done so well, obviously there was a lot of hard work behind the scenes.
"Agriculture contributed to social stability and economic growth during this Covid pandemic.”
He adds that the department making agriculture an essential service also contributed to positive growth.
"All of these factors contribute to bigger yields and bigger yield means farmers can make a bit more money.
"Overall we have been given a good seasonal year and the fact that agriculture was made an essential service has contributed towards the 15,1% contribution.”
Van de Reede says the latest figures will hopefully spur government into the provision of better funding for the sector.