The role of farmers during the COVID-19 crisis

Derek Mathews, chairperson of Grain SA.

Do you believe that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has given rise to an increased public appreciation of the role that agriculture and those who work in the sector play in the provision of sufficient and affordable food and fibre in South Africa?

I think that many people have never had reason to think about where their food comes from, and this pandemic has helped them to consider and perhaps have a new appreciation for what we as farmers do every day. We’ve seen a new wave of [social media posts] thanking farmers,