Fruit SA warns that if Stage 6 load shedding persists and is not resolved, many growers will go out of business, putting thousands of jobs at risk, while emerging growers will be hit the most. The fruit sector employs just under 300 000 people directly on farms. The CSIR last week said the year 2022 overtook 2021 as the most intensive load shedding year yet, with December being the highest load shedding month ever.
While the government has declared a power crisis and has plans in place to stabilise the national grid, with an end to load shedding in sight for now, the agricultural sector is under immense strain, losing money hand over fist.
Source: iol.co.za