Farmers curb crime with technology

Tyler Penner via Unsplash

State-of-the-art camera systems are used in the district agricultural union jurisdictions of Kiepersol in Mpumalanga, Vierfontein in the Free State and Mokopane (Potgietersrus) in Limpopo to monitor suspicious-looking persons and vehicles in the areas. The use of these camera systems, which are monitored by a control room, essentially offers a permanent observation capability across the entire area whereby criminal activities can be detected and responded to.

"Technology employed as protection measure is no guarantee that a farm attack or crime will not occur," said Japie Grobler, chair of the Agri Securitas Trust Fund. "However, it can delay or make an attack more difficult to carry out, offering the individual an opportunity to ward off the attack or crime."

Funding for protection measures

Some of the plans that include technology entail integrity selection systems such as those used by Agri Hertzogville in the Free State to promote the safety of the community. This system is intended to identify in advance any persons who are involved in criminal activities and who pose a safety risk to the community.

"In our farming areas there has been an increase in crimes such as stock theft, the theft of scrap metal and copper cables, as well as destruction of farm infrastructure. Farmers also suffer losses due to the theft of large quantities of farm produce and the removal of farm inputs and equipment from the area. This has a significant impact on farmers’ profitability," said Grobler. "Our farmers are exposed to armed robbery, accompanied by loss of life and trauma. The Trust Fund attempts to support farmers and farm workers in a practical manner by providing funding for protection measures in their battle against crime."

The Trust Fund hereby also acknowledges its strategic partners, namely Nissan SA, Sanlam, CrisisOnCall and Sonfin, for their long-time support. Companies such as NWK, Senwes and Santam Agriculture have been sponsors of the fund for many years.

"Without this support it would have been impossible for us to assist in protecting our farmers and farm workers," said Grobler.