Agri Eastern Cape expressed it's disappointment in President Jacob Zuma’s 2016 State of the Nation Address.
Agri Eastern Cape President Doug Stern said the vital role South African farmers play in providing food security was conveniently omitted during last Thursday's address by Zuma.
The 2016 SONA had been regarded as the most important one yet for agriculture, as farmers battle to continue production under severe drought conditions.
Zuma said government would continue to support the agriculture sector in provinces affected by the drought.
Here he singled out the North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
However, the Eastern Cape was not mentioned.
Stern said what Zuma failed to mention, was the action that would be forthcoming to farmers who were in desperate need of assistance as a result of the drought.
"I was bitterly disappointed as a farmer and particularly for our farmers in North Eastern part of the province who are facing one of the worst droughts, I think in history. The state president had a golden opportunity to actually announce of aid, particularly with the rehabilitation of agriculture in the Eastern Cape. and he forgot to mention to mention we were in a disaster area in the Eastern Cape" He said.
