El Niño 2026-27: How agriculture department plans to protect small-scale farmers

Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp unveiled plans to shield small-scale farmers from the impending El Niño season. During a parliamentary response, he addressed concerns raised by IFP MP Inkosi Russel Nsikayezwe Cebekhulu over the sector's vulnerabilities. Small-scale farmers face significant risks due to the 2026-27 El Niño, which includes reduced rainfall, crop failures, livestock losses, water shortages, and rising pests and diseases. Cebekhulu sought information on measures to protect these resource-constrained farmers.

Aucamp explained that his department focuses on prevention, mitigation, and preparedness through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme and by promoting resilient crop varieties on the National Variety List. Additionally, farmers participating in the Blended Finance Scheme are required to take out insurance covering 6% of their loan amount, serving as a risk-transfer mechanism.

To address livestock losses during droughts, Aucamp advised farmers to match animal numbers to available grazing and feed, sell unproductive animals, and maintain feed reserves for breeding stock. Supplementary feeding, reliable water access via additional water points, and sound animal health management practices are also encouraged. Veterinary inspections, disease surveillance, and timely vaccinations remain crucial to minimize livestock losses and improve herd productivity.

If a disaster strikes, the department would classify it under section 23 of the Disaster Management Act, triggering post-disaster response, recovery, and rehabilitation mechanisms to aid affected farmers and agricultural communities. Funding for recovery is sourced from section 56 of the Act and the National Disaster Management Framework.