Most of Limpopo is experiencing a severe drought, the Agriculture Department said on Monday.
Agriculture spokesperson Thembi Makhuvele said weather forecasts showed the probability of moderately strong El Nino conditions, referring to the periodic phenomenon in which warming of the tropical Pacific Ocean leads to unusual weather patterns.
This would mean an increased probability of below-normal rainfall totals and above normal temperatures for the 2009/10 summer rainfall season.
The worst affected areas were the whole of Mopani district, Musina and Mutale municipalities in Vhembe district, Lephalale and Mogalakwena municipalities in Waterberg district, Blouberg and Lepelle Nkumpi municipalities in Capricorn district and Fetakgomo and Makhuduthamaga in Sekhukhune district.
The department had already spent R24-million in the previous financial year on measures to counteract the drought, Makhuvele said.
These included the construction and de-silting of 10 earth dams for livestock water; equipping 130 boreholes with windmills and pumps; the construction and repair of 80 drinking troughs and the installation of 10 000 litre water storage tanks to the equipped boreholes.
This financial year the department had already spent R5-million to assist veldfire and drought affected farmers in the province.
It was also supplying livestock feed at subsidised prices to assist veldfire affected and drought affected farmers for another R5-million in all 25 municipalities.
The department has requested additional funds to the tune of R38-million from National Treasury to assist the drought affected farmers in the province.
”Farmers are advised to provide a lot of drinking water for livestock, sell all mature animals non breeding livestock to reduce livestock losses, [and] build fodder reserves in years of good rainfall,” Makhuvele said.
Farmers should also limit water waste and water losses by repairing water leakages, recycle water, harvest and store water during rainy days. — Sapa