Farmers suffering from the ”devastating” effects of the drought season in the Eastern Cape have been advised to approach the province’s department of agriculture for monetary relief.
The department announced on Monday that R20-million had been made available to assist affected farmers.
”The current drought conditions were not declared as a disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act … but funds were made available as a special measure to assist farmers who are experiencing devastating drought conditions,” spokesperson Mthobeni Mxotwa said.
He said the funds, made available by the national Department of Agriculture, will be given out in the form of subsidies.
Small-scale farmers will receive 90% subsidies, medium-scale ones 80% and large-scale producers qualify for 70% subsidies.
”Although good rain has fallen in some areas, conditions continue to deteriorate over large parts of the province.
”Hail damage, extremely high temperatures and strong winds further aggravated conditions in most of the areas … Availability of stock water is also a major concern in many areas,” Mxotwa said.
While some farmers in the province have already received the funding, Mxotwa said the province was ”compiling a request” to the national department for additional funding.
”Farmers in drought-affected areas should contact their local agricultural offices to enable the department to conduct a proper assessment of the current situation.”
He urged farmers to comply with the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act ”with regard to correct socking rates and grazing capacities”.
”This will help ease the further degradation of natural veld,” he said. — Sapa