Question NW433 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
15 April 2021 - NW433
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(a) What is the full package of assistance that her department has provided to farmers since the beginning of the lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 in 2020 and (b)(i) what total number of black farmers have benefited from the specified assistance and (ii) for what total amount did they benefit?
Reply:
a) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development supplied 400 000 disposable masks, 200 000 reusable masks and 400 000 bars of soap for farmworkers.
(b)(i) The total number of black farmers who benefitted is unknown as the masks and bars of soap were mainly given to Organised Agricultural formations to distribute to farming operations irrespective of the race of farmers involved.
(ii) The expenditure was as follows: R13 700 000.00 – Masks.
R4 052 000.00 – Bars of soap.