Western Cape counts the cost of drought and bird flu

More than 35 000 jobs are on the line in the Western Cape’s agricultural sector, with losses expected to run into the billions, as a result of water allocations being capped due to the drought.

Western Cape counts the cost of drought and bird flu
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In addition, the recent avian influenza outbreak is expected to result in further losses.

Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Western Cape deputy director for agriculture, Darryl Jacobs, said producers expected an average decrease in production of 36,9%, if water supply for the 2017/2018 season was to be capped at 60% of normal allocations.

“This will translate into a R4,96 billion decline of GVA (gross value added – an indicator of all goods and services produced by the sector) and 35 634 potential job losses. The sector is also set to lose valuable market share [in terms of] fruit exports,” Jacobs said.

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He added that 6% of producers also indicated that they expected their farming operations to go into liquidation as a result of these factors.

Compounding these losses was the outbreak of avian influenza (AI), which was causing great devastation in the province’s poultry industry.

More than 2,7 million birds have died in the commercial poultry industry in the province, or were in the process of being culled; 63% of these were layer hens.

Agricultural economist at the Department of Agriculture, Louw Pienaar, said the layer industry had been hardest hit.

“This is not an industry that employs a lot of labour, but it is still an important job creator in the semi-skilled bracket.”

Potential job losses are thus expected to become evident within the next two to three months.

To date, losses suffered as a result of AI had been estimated at R800 million, but Jacobs said this was a conservative estimate, and was likely to rise.

According to Alan Winde, MEC of Economic Opportunities, more than 100 000 jobs had been added to the Western Cape’s agro-processing and agriculture sectors since the launch of the province’s Project Khulisa growth strategy in 2014.

However, he also expressed concern about the potential job losses.

“Project Khulisa [was put in place] to help the [agricultural] sector and the economy.  Everything we’re doing now is to ensure job creation,” he said.

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Jeandré Du Preez is the newest addition to the Farmer’s Weekly team. Originating from a Riversdal farming family, she has farming in her blood. After school she furthered her studies at Stellenbosch and has been working as an agricultural journalist for the past two years. She says she feels privileged to write about an industry paramount to the survival of all South Africans and is inspired by the innovative solutions with which the farming community bridges the many challenges they face. She enjoys being able to combine work with travel and appreciates the modesty and friendliness with which South Africa’s farmers share their accomplishments. She enjoys being able to combine work with travel and appreciates the modesty and friendliness with which South Africa’s farmers share their accomplishments. If she is not writing or visiting farms, you’ll find her relaxing with a good mystery novel or exploring her other passions: travelling and cooking.