Boost to emerging farmers

More than 600 emerging farmers from villages and rural towns across the country were recently empowered to start the process of successfully converting their subsistence farming into commercial farming through a series of consumer education training programmes. The training, driven by South African short-term insurer Santam, imparted the required financial and business skills to the farmers.

Gerhard Diedericks, head of Santam Agriculture, explains it is not an easy time to be a farmer in South Africa. “Besides changing weather patterns, the crippling drought, labour costs and unrest, crop disease, declining competitiveness in global markets and limited resources are all putting strain on South Africa’s shrinking agricultural sector. Those hardest hit are our country’s emerging farmers, many of whom are struggling to cope with financial pressure, a lack of skills and inadequate support to weather the storms facing the industry.”

He continues that the insurer recognises agriculture is key to the future health of the South African economy, and has therefore embarked on this training campaign, the first of its kind in the industry. “Santam is committed to assisting emerging farmers, as they are vital to the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector. While significant challenges face all farmers, small and emerging farmers require even more support and may not always have the necessary skills and support to bounce back when fate steps in.” To read more, click HERE.