Government has, again, given the green light for vouchers issued as part of the controversial Presidential Employment Stimulus initiative (Pesi) following its sudden suspension just more than a month ago.
This has been confirmed in a release issued moments ago by the agriculture, land reform and rural development department. Through the programme qualifying subsistence farmers are given vouchers to buy much-needed farming inputs at selected suppliers.
The Covid-19 relief programme was suspended on 13 January 2022 following a nationwide outcry from farmers about steep costs they incurred while redeeming these vouchers. Many of the qualifying farmers have also taken to social media to exchange their vouchers for cash.
All affected beneficiaries are encouraged to wait for messages from Vodacom before visiting allocated suppliers to redeem their vouchers.
Next steps for farmers
According to the release the department will communicate with all PESI voucher recipients on how the implementation will unfold going forward. Beneficiaries are further urged to be on the look-out for messages from the department in this regard.
Food For Mzansi earlier reported that the PESI roll-out was marred with challenges since its inception. Many farmers complained that, on arrival at suppliers to redeem their vouchers, they were directed to the middlemen seated inside or outside the stores.
These middlemen expected farmers to buy the products at a fee of 27% of the value of the voucher in order to earn commission, seemingly as part of an agreement with government. This, despite most commission structures being set at between 5% and 15%.
Also, farmers alleged that input suppliers were in cahoots with retailers who charged producers up to 50% or more of the product’s actual retail value.
Farmers with technical enquiries about the PESI programme can contact:
- Qeda Nyoka on 072 197 9486 or QedaN@dalrrd.gov.za;
- Molatelo Mamadi on MolateloMAM@dalrrd.gov.za.
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