Crop theft affects farmers negatively

Crop theft is affecting local farmers’ production levels negatively, said safety, security and liaison MEC, Pat Ngomane.
“It is a serious challenge because most farmers are compelled to hire private security to safeguard their assets. This is a setback because instead of farmers investing more money into the improvement of their business and development of employees, their resources are now channelled for security.”
Ngomane was speaking during the recent Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training (MASDT) research study launch in Mbombela.

Selling illicit cigarettes threatens tobacco farmers and the government’s ability to generate revenue out of tax.

“The police should continue working hard to arrest illicit cigarettes traders, especially during road blocks and other intelligence-driven law enforcement operations. Farmers should work with the police in order to bring thieves to book,” he said.

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He also urged them to empower local communities. “Employ community members on your farms because it will encourage them to assist with crime prevention on those farms,” said Ngomane.
“Farmers should work closely with community structures such as the community police forums (CPF). Such structures have a direct link with local police stations and police sector managers.”
Shadrack Ntando Sibisi, a farmer from Nkomazi, asked the government to assist emerging farmers with sufficient land.
“It will enable us to strengthen developing farmers in rural areas.”

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Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training (MASDT) Research Study is an initiative by British American Tobacco and Agri SA. This initiative was implemented after they saw a gap in their space of operation and came up with a development and training programme that assists emerging farmers sustain their farming business.
MASDT will go a long way towards eradicating poverty and unemployment.