Farmers Review Africa March/April 2020 Farmers Review Africa March - April 2020 digital ( | Page 16

FEATURE
Coronavirus could threaten
global agricultural trade
“At this stage, it is difficult to quantify the
economic impact on South African agriculture.
Over the short term we are expecting supply
chain and logistical disruptions that may cause
harm to export-driven agricultural sectors,” says
Van Zyl.
Agri SA has called on the agricultural sector to adhere
to the precautionary measures as announced by the
government to curb the spread of Covid-19. The
Covid-19 pandemic is not just an epidemiological
problem, but a global health problem.
This pandemic not only impacts on the day-to
-ay business of all sectors, but it poses a serious
health hazard to all South Africans.
T
he unexpected and alarming spread of the
coronavirus (Covid-19) has sparked fears of
a global economic slowdown. “The current
uncertainty of the markets and the subsequent
global economic slowdown is adding additional
pressure on the debilitating South African
economy. The growing impact of the Covid-19
coincides with the announcement of a 1,4%
retraction in our economy as well as a decline of
7,6% for agriculture in the fourth quarter of 2019,”
says Omri van Zyl, Agri SA’s executive director.
South African agriculture exports approximately
25 commodities amounting to a value of more
than $10bn annually.
On Friday, 28 February 2020, the World Health
Organisation (WHO) declared the Covid-19
outbreak as a global pandemic, resulting in
governments around the world to strengthen their
containment measures. Last week, the global
market lost more than $6tn resulting in the worst
economic week since the global recession in 2008.
There is currently a process underway at NEDLAC
(National Economic Development and Labour
Council) to establish a more comprehensive
response regarding the COVID-19 disaster
declaration. The various ministerial departments
will meet today to develop a contingency plan to
mitigate the impact of this disaster. Agri SA will
communicate continuously on this process and
how the government aims to effectively deal with
this outbreak.
It can only be tackled through an integrated and
global approach. Let us work together to prevent
any action that may lead to the spread of the virus.
NAMPO HARVEST DAY 2020 POSTPONED
T
he COVID-19 outbreak is an unpreceded
occurrence, and the global pandemic
has, in a short space of time, impacted
organisations in countless ways. We’re living
through a year that is uncharted, and things
around us are changing extremely fast. “The health and safety of visitors, exhibitors, staff,
sponsors and the entire agricultural community
during the NAMPO Harvest Day are paramount
and an event of this magnitude poses too great
a risk to continue during the initially stipulated
dates. “While we’re taking precautions and doing some
things a little differently, our aim is to still present
a diversified agricultural trade exhibition of world
standing benefiting our loyal and longstanding
partners, the local communities and the broader
agricultural sector as a whole.
Following the stringent measures implemented
by the South African Presidency, which included
prohibiting gatherings of more than 100 people,
Grain SA has been monitoring the developments
of COVID-19 and under the guidance and
recommendations of the World Health
Organization, the Presidency of South Africa and
the Department of Health, have made the difficult
decision to postpone the 2020 NAMPO Harvest
Day which was scheduled to take place from
12-15 May 2020 at NAMPO Park, just outside
Bothaville. Guided by these priorities and best practice, the
decision to postpone the event was a necessary
one,” Jannie de Villiers, CEO of Grain SA said. As we continue to adapt to the impact brought on
by COVID-19, Grain SA will remain committed
to applying risk-informed-decision making and
keeping all stakeholders informed every step of
the way,” said Dirk Strydom, Manager of Grain
Economy and Marketing.
The 2020 NAMPO Harvest Day will be postponed
to 11-14 August 2020, given that Government
policies and guidelines permit the postponed
date. Grain SA will evaluate and review the
date by the end of June 2020 if necessitated by
governmental regulations. Grain SA is committed
to implementing appropriate action plans in
relation to the developments of COVID-19. In addition, visitors and exhibitors to the 2019
NAMPO Harvest Day, contributed an average
of R28 million to the local economy, notably
in the Free State and North-West towns of
Bothaville, Klerksdorp, Orkney, Potchefstroom
and Stilfontein, with many small business owners
relying heavily on the income injection made
possible as a result of this agricultural platform.
14 | March - April 2020
The NAMPO Harvest Day received 81 345
visitors over 4-days in 2019, with 775 exhibitors
and which saw a record of 376 aeroplanes and
63 helicopters descending on NAMPO Park. The
economic importance of the NAMPO Harvest
Day is absolutely vital to the corporate, medium
and small businesses from all over South Africa
participating in the show.
Grain SA will continue to adapt and to navigate
this situation together as a team and more
importantly, a community. We recognise that this
is a challenging time for all, and most importantly,
we remain deeply committed to the safety of the
agricultural sector. We encourage everyone to be
kind and considerate and even in the presence
of social distancing, we encourage everyone to
be there for one another. Let’s all help flatten the
curve and support those who need it most.
The NAMPO Cape show, scheduled for 9-11
September 2020 in Bredasdorp, Western Cape is
set to continue on these confirmed dates.