WELLINGTON, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) – New Zealand farmers and growers are getting a helping hand against the Omicron variant of COVID-19, Agriculture Minister, Damien O’Connor, said today.
The government allocated 400,000 NZ dollars (265,280 U.S. dollars), to support primary producers with contingency planning and response, if a farmer or grower contracts COVID-19, O’Connor said in a statement.
The funding will bolster resources of organisations like the Rural Support Trusts and those supporting Maori agribusinesses, to help them respond to the COVID-19 situation.
“This funding will help ensure there’s someone that farmers and growers can speak to and provide guidance, should they or their staff be dealing with Omicron,” he said, adding, the Rural Support Trusts are well woven into rural communities, to provide wrap-around support services.
“The sector has, to date, been resilient throughout the pandemic,” the minister said, adding, the hard work of farmers and growers, along with those involved in keeping supply chains open and exports flowing, is leading New Zealand’s trade-led recovery from COVID-19.
Primary producers have always been essential workers throughout the pandemic, but as Omicron reaches further into the communities, efforts should be made to ensure that the wellbeing of rural communities is protected.
O’Connor also called on farmers to get their vaccine booster dose, before Omicron takes off in the community.
The Rural Support Trusts do great work when things are at their most difficult in the provinces at times of drought, floods, or now, a pandemic, he said, adding, the organisation can make sure people aren’t left isolated. This includes ensuring that mental health is well-supported.– NNN-AGENCIES
