North Coast farmers lose millions to floods

The devastating floods have flung the region’s farmers into a world of agony as they have not only lost millions of Rands as a direct results of the deluge, but face years of painful recovery.

Waterlogged soil, root rot, soil leech, loss of crops, soil erosion and damage to infrastructure are some of the many challenges farmers now face.

The South African Cane Growers Association surveyed cane growers and estimated losses in KZN would come to R222.9-million.

The South African Farmers Development Association (SAFDA) estimates the cost of repairing damaged infrastructure for development farmers at R42-million.

One affected farmer, Welile Gumede of Azowel Projects, had lost all of her 24 vegetable and landscaping tunnels in Shakaskraal.

She said damages amounted to about R900 000, while income lost from damaged crops would be about R600 000.

“Two of my workers had to climb onto the roof of the house to avoid being swept away and stayed there all night. While I am sad about the damages, I am grateful that my staff were safe, but it was sad they had to witness all their hard work being washed away,” said Gumede.

Another sugarcane, vegetable and fruit farmer from Upper Tongaat, Roy Nohari, said he suffered damage of about R6-million.

“Bridges and roads are destroyed, waterpipes are exposed and a dam used for irrigation is filled with mud. Some parts of the farm can now only be accessed on foot,” said Nohari.

Portia Dlamini of Gingindlovu lost her entire 2,5 hectare sugarcane farm.

“Around me at least 10 hectares of sugarcane of other small farmers have been destroyed. Roads are severely damaged and we could not even get to the plantation until this morning (Monday). We found a body of a man in the fields that we believe was washed here from somewhere else because no one in the area knows him,” said Dlamini.

Cranbrook sugarcane farmer Muzi Hlongwane lost 20 hectares of his 70 hectare farm and most roads on his farm are damaged.

SAFDA executive chairman, Dr Siyabonga Madlala, said they receive new reports every day as farmers were beginning to gain access to their fields.

“To date, we have recorded 1 537ha of cane and cash crops that have been eroded. At an estimated cost of R32 000 replant per hectare, this represents a total loss of more than R49-million. We have confirmed that almost all affected fields will have to be replanted as a result of waterlogging killing the roots. Collapsed bridges also make removing remaining produce impossible,” said Madlala.

“This poses a serious threat which will last beyond the rainy season. When the rain is over, mills will open and farmers will be expected to deliver their cane produce for crushing. This will not be possible before the bridges and roads are repaired,” said Madlala.