Farming Operations Stopped Due to Power Failures

In the Framework for the Development of the Western Cape Province:
2004-2007, the agricultural sector is identified as one of the key sectors to contribute to growth and development in the Western Cape.
Primary agriculture is responsible for 4.5% of South Africa's Gross Domestic Product, and the Western Cape contributes more than 20% of the total agricultural production in South Africa. In addition, the Western Cape produces between 55% and 60% of South Africa's total agricultural export, with agriculture as the largest sectoral exporter.

In the Premier's aim of accelerating progress towards the achievement of higher levels of economic growth and development of at least 6% a year in the Western Cape, Agriculture will therefore be a very important role-player.

In both the wine and the fruit industries, it is now harvest time with all its relevant operations that ensure the maximum profit to these industries and jobs to thousands of people.

The uninterrupted availability of electricity is of vital importance to these industries. Therefore the power failures across the province on Sunday and on Monday are posing a big threat to farmers as it is seriously affecting farming operations. The catastrophic impact of cellars and cooling facilities without electricity, irrigation pumps without electricity and sorting machines without electricity is now threatening the success of months of hard labour and overcoming the elements such as drought, a devastating hailstorm and the fuel shortage at a crucial time,to name but a few.

Although Eskom informed organised agriculture earlier this year that more planned power cuts are on the cards and was in a process of liasing with organised agriculture to determine times when it would be most suitable for farming operations. The power cuts over the weekend was however not planned and will have an impact on farming operations especially as fruit needs to be stored at certain temperatures, to be of export quality and indeed to be exported.

An urgent meeting was convened this morning between officials of the Department of Agriculture, Local Government, Eskom and organised agriculture to iron out the problems. ESKOM (WesternCape) reaffirmed its commitment that it will engage with organised agriculture on planned cuts in the future and will make the dates and times of cuts available to Agri Western Cape as well as on its website. Both organised agriculture and the officials from the Provincial Department of Agriculture confirmed that the talks took place in a spirit of cooperation and understanding of the seriousness of the problem.

As we understand and appreciate the enormity of the problem and challenges facing ESKOM we welcome the commitment from ESKOM, to coordinate any further planned power cuts with organised agriculture as this province cannot afford its farming operations to grind to a halt and thus taking the bread out of the mouths of thousands of farmworkers and their families.

Enquiries:
Alie van Jaarsveld
Spokesperson
Ministry of Agriculture: Western Cape
Tel: 021 483 4930
Fax: 021 483 3890
Cell: 084 604 6701
Email: avjaarsv@pgwc.gov.za