GOVERNMENT will, over the next three years, provide an additional R553.3-million towards drought relief efforts, National Treasury said on Wednesday. As dam levels remain at lower levels compared to the same period last year, National Treasury said the funding will assist those affected, especially farmers, to get more water and animal feed.

“The 2016 Adjusted Estimates of National Expenditure allocates a further R553.3-million for the acquisition of a mobile desalination plant and animal feed, ahead of rains expected later in the year.”

The treasury also said in line with the aims of maximising agriculture’s contribution to jobs and growth, and more efficient use of public resources, several government departments are working to improve coordination of farmer support programmes.

This, National Treasury said in its Medium Term Budget Policy Statement, will eliminate existing overlaps and double-dipping of funding from the agriculture and rural development departments.

“National and provincial government reprioritised R1.6 billion towards emergency funding for drought-relief initiatives between April 2015 and June 2016. The funding was used to provide water-tankering services and animal feed, and to refurbish and drill boreholes.”