Photo: Henk van Wyk
Agri Northern Cape President Henk van Wyk told Farmer’s Weekly qualifying farmers would now be in a position to buy feed to sustain core herds.
This after drought aid funds were unlocked following the announcement in March by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Zweli Mkhize that the drought had officially been declared a national disaster.
Van Wyk, who farms in Calvinia, said he estimated more than 1000 farmers were still battling drought in several areas, including the Hantam and Namakwa districts, as well as the Carnarvon area in the Pixley ka Seme district.
READ A letter to farmers in drought-stricken regions
He said Agri Northern Cape had been lobbying for this type of support and had been applying for drought aid for at least three years.
He said qualifying farmers, not only Agri NC members, would receive vouchers from the provincial Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), which could then be used to redeem feed at local agribusinesses.
He said each applicant qualified for an amount in excess of R20 000 (R21777) per month for a period of three months, where after the situation in affected areas would be reviewed again.
READ Drought-stricken Northern Cape farmers reducing herds
“The state’s idea with this is to put farmers in a position to sustain a core herd. That is plus-minus 180 sheep or about 30 large stock units (cattle),” he said.
According to Cogta, government had made about R433-million (R433.524-million) available for immediate drought relief funding in the three most affected provinces, namely Eastern, Northern and Western Cape.
The funds were drawn from the Disaster Grants administered by Cogta. Of this nearly R350-million was earmarked for distribution in the 2017/18 financial year and a large portion had already been used at ground level, especially in Western and Eastern Cape.
The remainder of about R84-million was intended to be transferred in the 2018/19 financial year.
Cogta said about R127-million had been allocated for provision of feed and transport in Northern Cape and would be distributed over the two financial years. The first portion of about R43-million was now being distributed.
Northern Cape DALRRD spokesperson Phemelo Manankong confirmed the process had now gotten underway.
He said they enjoyed very close working relationships with agribusinesses and farmer’s organisations and unions in the province and were collaborating to ensure it went smoothly.
Van Wyk also said farmer’s unions were getting involved at ground level to ensure there was no abuse of the aid, for example double dipping by individuals who might have farms in more than one affected district.
He said Agri NC would also continue with its own drought fund to facilitate transport of feed donations received in other parts of the country.
Further information was available online at www.agrink.co.za.
