Brace for ANOTHER disaster: KZN floods to send food prices sky-rocketing

The impact of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) floods is expected to hit the pockets of consumers as Food prices likely to riseSo says Thokko Didiza, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reforms and Rural Development.

This is because the devastation caused by heavy rains in KZN has affected the agriculture sector as well. There has been some serious damage to farms, including critical infrastructure such as buildings and irrigation systems. In addition, roads leading to farms and movement of goods have been affected.

“We can see that some of the prices are increasing in some items. We are confident in terms of movement of agricultural commodities. There is still no access to roads leading to some farms. They still need to be fixed so that without any delay we can move to reintroduce the food,” said Didiza ENCA,

You can also read: KZN flood: African Union donates over R2 million in solidarity

KZN flood: no food shortage anticipated

While Didiza acknowledged that the KZN floods have had an impact on the agriculture sector as well, she allayed fears of a possible domestic food shortage as a result of the disaster.

“From the assessment we have made, we are not going to be short of food. We believe we have enough,” she also told the broadcaster.

Meanwhile, the South African Farmers Development Agency (SAFDA) says farmers have also lost millions of rand.

Safda executive president Siyabonga Madalala says farmers have reported total crop losses because of soil erosion in their fields and the resources they keep in their fields such as fertilizers and chemicals. Madalala says the estimated cost of repairing the damaged infrastructure is at least R42 million.

“Till date we have destroyed a total of 1 537.4 hectares of sugarcane and cash crops. At an estimated cost of R32 000 per hectare, this accounts for a total of R49 196 800, as we have confirmed that almost all affected areas need to be replanted as a result of waterlogging killing the roots,”

Safda’s Executive President Siyabonga Madalla

You can also read: ‘Politicians who stole KZN relief funds will be arrested’ – Bhiki Sele