Farmers urge govt to alleviate rising insurance costs amid severe weather conditions

John Perlman interviews Motsepe Matlala, President of the National African Farmers Union.

Listen below.

Insurance providers in the crop and livestock industry are assessing farms nationwide, bracing for significant claims due to recent weather events such as El Niño and the recent cold front.

These extreme climatic occurrences – flooding, cold snaps, high winds, and fires – have severely impacted agricultural production, causing substantial damage to crops, livestock, and infrastructure.

Matlala emphasises the crucial role of South Africa's agricultural sector in ensuring food security for its citizens.

He stresses that insurance must play a pivotal role in safeguarding the country's food production.

Unfortunately, Matlala notes that insurance costs have risen due to adverse weather conditions and factors like foot and mouth disease.

He mentions that farmers have urged the government to prioritise insurance and provide financial support to alleviate their expenses.

Matlala warns that failure by the government and private sector to acknowledge the potential impact of natural disasters could endanger farmers, their harvests, and their livelihoods.

"It is such a pity that it hasn't been taken care of."

- Motsepe Matlala, President – National African Farmers Union

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.