South African farmer group Agri SA has called for an urgent meeting with the newly appointed minister of police and the national commissioner to address a "shocking" increase in farm attacks.

In a release, the organization highlighted a 22% increase in farm attacks this year along with a 27% rise in the number of murders.

There have been six farm attacks in the past week alone. 

"Several farmers and farm laborers were brutally assaulted and that is why we call on the farming community to further sharpen their vigilance. Within Agri SA and our provincial organizations we will do everything in our power to curb crime", said Agri SA president Dan Kriek.

Agri SA has approached the new minister and the national commissioner to discuss the violence and its impact on farming communities, as well as finalizing the revised Rural Protection Strategy and the reservist system.

In the release, Agri SA said a well-functioning reservist system that was accessible for members of the farming community would form the backbone to rural protection.

South African farmers are not looking abroad for support, but rather from their own government, as Agri SA said it remained committed to finding a solution in cooperation with established authorities and civil society structures.

"Farmworkers and farmers are highly valuable resources who are necessary to ensure food security and rural stability in South Africa. This is why they need to be properly protected to ensure there is food for the nation, something they manage to do extremely well," said Kriek.

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