 outbreak a national disaster, describing it as the “worst” South Africa has experienced. He made the announcement during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) at Cape Town City Hall in the Western Cape.){kind=link}
By Lebone Rodah Mosima
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak a national disaster, describing it as the “worst” South Africa has experienced. He made the announcement during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) at Cape Town City Hall in the Western Cape.
Ramaphosa said the declaration would enable government to mobilise all necessary state resources to contain and eliminate the crisis.
“This disease is damaging our economy, resulting in export bans, trade restrictions and devastation of herds,” he said.
The government plans to vaccinate up to 14 million cattle, requiring 28 million vaccine doses over the next 12 months.
Ramaphosa said the state would centrally facilitate vaccine procurement to ensure the correct vaccines are secured for the specific strains present in South Africa.
“We will work closely with the private sector to enable an efficient rollout and, most importantly, ensure that commercial, private and communal farmers have immediate access to vaccines,” he said.
The President has established a task team comprising farmer organisations and experts, working with Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and his department. The team will report to the President monthly on progress in tackling the FMD outbreak.
Despite the crisis, Ramaphosa announced R7.8 billion in funding for black producers through the Blended Finance Scheme, in partnership with the Land Bank and commercial banks.
He also highlighted strong growth in the agricultural sector, noting that South Africa is now the world’s second-largest exporter of citrus fruit.
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“We are opening new markets for our exports, from citrus and avocados to maize, livestock, grapes and wine,” he said.
Ramaphosa added that 10,000 new extension officers would be deployed to support farmers and improve agricultural productivity, creating employment opportunities for young people in the sector.
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