The HIV/AIDS virus could have serious consequences for the South African fresh produce industry if no action is taken, trustees from South African HIV/AIDS platform group, Agriaids, warned the sector.
Doctor Hugo Templeman and Gretha Kostwinder told delegates that the spread of HIV/AIDS is reaching epidemic proportions, with South Africa at the epicentre. South Africa currently has some of the fastest growing infection rates in the world with approximately six million people infected with the virus.
Since 1985, over seven million agricultural workers in Africa have died of HIV/AIDS and it is expected that this number will grow to 16m over the next two decades.
“South Africa has the highest amount of infected people worldwide. The life expectancy of this country keeps coming down. Last year it was 60, this year 48 and unless we intervene, next year - 39,” Kostwinder said.
She explained that the areas most affected were those reliant on agriculture and speculated that by 2010, South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product would be 17 per cent lower than it would have been without the costs of absenteeism caused by the illness. She stressed that the effects would impact on plans the industry has for the future:
“HIV is a cross-cutting issue...we have three important issues to be addressed in agriculture; land reform, BEE, and HIV/AIDS. One and two are deemed to fail because of three,” she said.
Templeman told farm managers that they should try and take hold of the situation by investing money in medication for those already infected, and could help curb spiralling infection rates by educating staff and employing a special medical unit to test workers regularly.
He explained the vast majority of farm workers, especially in remote areas, have no access to the life-saving treatment required: “We want to show people that it’s indeed affordable and effective to treat employees.”
The medical units are buses that can visit the farms regularly and would cost approximately 100R for each employee every month. “When will you realise that it is worth investing in your workforce?” he asked.
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