The
Northern Cape’s Department of Agriculture and Land Reform will immediately
implement its Drought Relief Scheme that is worth R26 million in an attempt to
abate the prevailing drought in the municipal districts of Kgalagadi, Siyanda
and Namaqua. The allocation has been made through the National Department of
Agriculture’s Directorate of Agriculture Risk and Disaster Management after
being approved by the Minister Thoko Didiza.
The
funds would mainly be used for the purchasing of fodder, fodder transportation
and drilling/repair of boreholes to allow commercial and communal farmers to
maintain their flock. Over 2 840 communal and commercial farmers have
registered for the scheme that will run until the end of March 2005. All
affected farmers have been notified about the relief application processes and
the requirements that I’ve stipulated for qualification.
The
towns that have been declared drought stricken are among others Williston, Frazerburg, Sutherland, Kenhardt,
Calvinia, Upington, Richtersveld and all farms north of Kuruman.
The
Minister’s approval comes amid a series of assessment exercises that were conducted
by officials from both the national and provincial Departments of Agriculture.
This was done in consultation with the affected farmers, farmer unions and
other stakeholders over a period of 3 months.
The
2004/5 scheme will allow emerging farmers to make a contribution of 10% towards
the purchase of fodder for less than 30 livestock units. Awareness has also
been raised around the carrying capacity of farms for farmers to keep within
the recommended carrying capacities.
The
2003/4 Relief Scheme of R46 million created a debt of R4, 6 million that
resulted from a system error. This arrear amount will also be settled from the
current allocation of R26 million. Further means of drought relief are being
investigated by the province’s Disaster Management Team that is championed by
the Department of Local Government and Housing.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Land
Reform
Enquiries: Thabo Mothibi; Tmothibi@grand.ncape.gov.za
mobile: 083 255 8840