Opposition calls provincial funding a 'drop in the bucket'
The Democratic Alliance has sharply criticised the Gauteng provincial government for setting aside a mere R63 million to tackle the devastating foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, arguing the allocation falls dramatically short of what is needed to address the deepening agricultural crisis.
Bronwynn Engelbrecht, the DA's spokesperson for agriculture and rural development in Gauteng, pointed out that the figure represents a negligible portion of the province's overall R179 billion budget. The department of agriculture and rural development received R742 million for the 2026-27 financial year, yet only a slim fraction has been directed towards combating the disease.
"The limited funding and the absence of a clear operational plan raise doubts as to whether Prime Minister Panyaza Lesufi's government really understands how serious the crisis is and what threat it poses to jobs, food security and Gauteng's agricultural economy."
Engelbrecht maintained that the provincial budget simply does not match the severity of the situation confronting the agricultural sector. Producers across Gauteng are operating under rigid movement restrictions that have crippled their ability to trade, while livestock markets have effectively collapsed and the cost of animal feed continues to climb.
Farmers bearing the brunt of government inaction
According to the opposition party, the financial commitment outlined in the budget fails to acknowledge the real-world consequences farmers are enduring daily. The DA argued that the knock-on effects extend well beyond the farming community, threatening employment and the affordability of food for ordinary households throughout the province.
"Farmers who work tirelessly to produce food for Gauteng deserve more than uncertainty and insufficient funding. They deserve a government with a clear strategy that acts quickly, communicates clearly and understands that protecting agriculture means protecting jobs, food security and the economic stability of the province."
Engelbrecht warned that the consequences of inadequate government action would ultimately be felt by every family dependent on employment opportunities and reasonably priced groceries. She stressed that the fallout from this funding shortfall reaches far beyond farm gates and into kitchens across the province.
"A DA-led Gauteng government would have considered it a priority to allocate sufficient funds to combat foot-and-mouth disease and effectively support affected farmers."
The DA's critique underscores growing frustration among agricultural stakeholders who believe the provincial administration has yet to demonstrate a coherent, adequately resourced strategy to contain the outbreak and shield the sector from further economic damage.
Gauteng's response to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak carries significant consequences for the province's food supply chain and agricultural workforce. Livestock movement restrictions have already disrupted trade and driven up feed costs, placing pressure on farmers and threatening food affordability for millions of urban consumers. If the outbreak is not contained swiftly with adequate resources, rising food prices and job losses in the agricultural sector could ripple through the broader provincial economy in the months ahead.
