Western Cape Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, has appealed to Eskom to make special provisions for farmers preparing for the harvesting season. Doing so will protect jobs in the agri sector in the Western Cape.
Meyer has received numerous complaints over the last couple of weeks from farmers preparing for the harvesting season about the negative impact of loadshedding on their farming operations.
Meyer said: "The Agricultural Sector largely depends on the national grid to produce, process, and prepare for international and local markets and exports. In addition, farmers rely on electricity to pump water for irrigation purposes. Therefore, Loadshedding has a devastating impact on the production side of their farms."
Meyer continued: Adjusting the daytime load-shedding schedule to the sector's needs will assist in sustaining and growing much-needed jobs in the rural towns of the Western Cape. Municipalities include Matzikama, Witzenberg, Drakenstein, Stellenbosch, Breede Valley, Langeberg and Theewaterskloof."
"The Western Cape is responsible for 53% of South Africa's agricultural exports. Consequently, a loadshedding schedule that responds to the requirements of the agri sector will protect rural economies and jobs," concluded Meyer.
For more information:
Daniel Johnson
Spokesperson for Minister Ivan Meyer
Email: Daniel.Johnson@westerncape.gov.za
Tel: +27 799904231