Farmers are extremely worried about Eskom's proposed 16% tariff hike, Free State Agriculture president Dan Kriek said on Monday.
"The increase can lead to more job losses and is counterproductive towards the development goals we are striving to achieve," he told a National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) hearing in Bloemfontein.
Kriek said the increase would have a direct impact on farmworkers who did not get free basic services from municipalities.
Eskom has applied to increase the electricity price 16% each year over the next five years. It has estimated that it would need R1.1-trillion for its infrastructure maintenance, staff costs, and growth.
Kriek said getting electricity to a farm for new farmers was already unaffordable.
Food prices at retail level would most certainly rise because of the production-limiting impact in primary agriculture, and the cost increases throughout the entire food chain.
"Implications for the poorest of the poor would be dire," he said.
The Mangaung metro's electricity body Centlec asked for an even tariff structure for rural towns.
Centlec supplies electricity to various southern Free State towns.
Chief operations officer Leon Kritzinger said tariffs for small towns and rural areas should be aligned with those of metros to ensure economic growth in all areas.