Sanlam donates to support farmers during locust plague

A devastating locust outbreak in parts of South Africa presents a serious potential threat for food security and economic stability, and business involvement in support of farmers can make a meaningful difference, says Gert Bezuidenhout, Regional Executive at Sanlam, which has donated R100 000 to Agri SA for locust relief efforts.

Locust outbreaks in the Karoo, Kenhardt, Britstown, Prieska, Murraysburg, Carnarvon, Graaff-Reinet and Aberdeen have seen swarms reaching up to 40km in diameter. Johan Steenkamp from the Kleinbegin District says, “The black cloud of swarming locusts has had a tremendously destructive impact on farms and can stretch for kilometres. They graze and then move forward, so they can progress up to several kilometres in a day.”

“We’re very concerned about the farmers, the farming communities and South Africans in general. Most of the smaller communities in rural areas rely on the agricultural sector for survival through job creation and social development, and South African farmers make an important positive contribution to the overall GDP as a net exporter,” says Bezuidenhout.

“If we collectively support our farmers, we help to ensure sustainable food production, which in turn cements food security. We must act fast. Swarms should be controlled when they are in the ‘hopper stage’, because as soon as they start flying, the severe damage to pastures and irrigation areas may become more difficult to contain. The veld in the Karoo just started to recover after years of drought and more recent floods. The locusts, if not controlled, present a huge threat to any crop under irrigation.”

Along with other donors, Sanlam has offered financial assistance for farmers in the Northern Cape though AgriSA and encourages other businesses to follow suit. With the correct planning, and the right advice from a qualified financial adviser, farmers will be able to mitigate risk by separating their business interests from their personal estates and putting into place other protection measures. “Aside from the financial contribution made, we really also want to be available to farmers from a support and advice perspective,” concludes Gert.