Drought relief for subsistence farmers
Zululand subsistence farmers to receive drought relief from national government
THE National Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Senzeni Zokwana, on Thursday met subsistence farmers in Pongola as part of the cabinet’s drought relief roadshow.
The reason for the visit was to oversee drought relief operations, identify areas requiring further intervention and engage with local farmers and other role players to provide support and guidance in enhancing drought recovery measures.
According to Zokwana, 246 631 livestock farmers owning some 9.3-million animals have been affected nationally by the drought.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has made available R381-million for drought relief.
These funds are to be used to provide integrated relief to farmers, including provision of livestock feed and borehole drilling and repairs.
Additionally, State land in certain areas will be made available for grazing and a programme for the revitilisation of existing feedlots, and the establishment of new ones, in communal areas has been put in place.
Planting livestock feed on State farms and revitilising irrigation schemes are being looked at by DAFF and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR).
Arrangements for auction sales to assist farmers in communal areas is also being explored.
Zokwana reiterated the necessity for farmers to use water sparingly and to engage in alternative farming strategies during dry conditions. These include using grey water in food gardens, harvesting rain water, adopting conservation farming methods and maintaining and repairing irrigation systems.
