'This will definitely affect our pockets' - Agriculture sector warns of looming food insecurity
The African Farmers Association of South Africa says farmers might opt to sell their produce locally at a slight loss, rather than risk all of it going to waste.
The agriculture sector has warned that the country is facing food insecurity in the wake of violent protests with trucks being set alight and highways shut down.
On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphsoa issued a similar warning, saying ongoing riots in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal would also affect the country's health system and Covid-19 vaccination drive.
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African Farmers Association of South Africa (AFSA) president Tshianelo Mathidi said farmers are now facing challenges getting their produce to markets.
"Every farm crop or produce has a lifespan," he explains.
"Whenever we have this challenge of trucks being blocked, then it means the lifespan is affected and the products cannot be accepted at the market, which on its own will bring a lot of challenges."
Mathidi says farmers might opt to sell their produce locally at a slight loss, rather than risk all of it going to waste.
"It's really going to affect food security; it's going to affect our pockets, and it's going to make us doubt the produce we do have," he said.