S.Africa lack of farming support worrying - expert

PRETORIA (Reuters) - South Africa's lack of support for farmers is worrying and will have negative consequences for the agriculture sector if not addressed, a farm expert said on Thursday.

South African farmers have raised concerns over a critical lack of support from the government, which has seen farmers fortunes take a dive after a massive cut in state subsidies in post-apartheid South Africa.

Jan Groenewald, professor of agricultural economics at South Africa's University of the Free State, said urgent support was needed for emerging farmers, many of whom are dependent upon the government to become profitable in farming.