Emerging black farmers say funding their farms remains a huge challenge, despite government’s efforts to transform the sector.
Agriculture Minister Senzeni Zokwana will this morning meet with black farmers in Stellenbosch.
Several countries have banned red meat exports from South Africa following the outbreak.
He also wants lifestyle audits to be conducted on them.
Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana said his department will provide extensive support to ensure agricultural production is not affected.
It has been reported former president Jacob Zuma allegedly accepted a R1 million bribe from a Western Cape abalone dealer in exchange for keeping Senzeni Zokwana in his post.
Congress of South African Trade Unions president Sdumo Dlamini has also been implicated but has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Countries with confirmed outbreaks can face import bans on their agricultural products because armyworm is classified as a quarantine pest.
Thousands of chickens have been culled and their eggs destroyed. Ostriches and other birds are also affected.
Agriculture Minister Senzeni Zokwana said government would consider importing fertile eggs to help close a supply gap due to the culling of thousands of birds.
Their fishing boat capsized off the coast of St Francis Bay at the weekend.
It’s understood Minister Senzeni Zokwana has placed the DG on suspension but says this does not constitute as a judgement on the ongoing investigations.
The Agriculture Department has implemented numerous conditions for the sale and trade of live chickens to curb the spread of avian influenza.
Agriculture Minister Senzeni Zokwana has appealed to opposition parties to join hands with the government in its efforts to transform agriculture and the country’s fisheries.
Zokwana says the ANC appreciates the role played by commercial farmers in making sure the country has enough food.
A strategic grain reserve would involve the government buying crops and taking responsibility for the storage until they’re needed to make up for shortfalls.
Agriculture Minister Senzeni Zokwana says an emergency pest response plan has been initiated and he’s confident it will be effective.
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Senzeni Zokwana has advised farmers to keep the infected animals away from the others and away from people.
