Local News
Veld fires 'affect food prices'─── JOSCA HUMAN 10:53 Fri, 06 Jul 2018
Veld fires not only affect farmers but everyone in South Africa.
The spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Zimasa Leputla, tells OFM News that once land has been destroyed by a fire, food prices are affected as well, as it poses a threat to food security which could cause unnecessary poverty to communities.
"That is our food, and it affects the farmer who has been working hard on a daily basis to ensure food security," says Leputla.
This comes after 250 000 hectares of land were destroyed in the Free State last season. With the August winds approaching, fires can easily run rampant. The Department is, therefore, urging all people to play their part to ensure that fires do not spread.
"Citizens need to be vigilant and take care because veld fires not only affect the farming communities. We need to be educated on how they start. Veld fires mostly start when cigarette butts are thrown out of the window," says Leputla.
OFM News
