Drought-stricken farmers receive R50m emergency funding

©otto du plessis via 123RF

Grateful for every contribution

Jannie Strydom, CEO of Agri Western Cape, says the Western Cape government has been nothing but supportive since the onset of the drought. “We are grateful for all their assistance and support over the past five years. We also appreciate that our provincial government understands and values the role of agriculture in the economy of the province,” he stated.

Strydom says Agri Western Cape will render as much humanitarian help as possible in the drought-stricken areas, even though the Agri Western Cape drought relief fund is almost depleted.

"Many producers in various sectors are facing cash flow constraints as farm revenues diminished. However, operating costs remain high. This is resulting in a humanitarian crisis in the affected areas and we are thankful for every contribution to our drought relief fund," he said.

Agri Western Cape has been assisting producers since November 2015, when below-average rainfall first affected the livestock sectors of the West Coast district and the Central Karoo.

The Klein Karoo is battling its fourth year of drought. Its impact is visible in the livestock and ostrich sectors, lucerne and vegetable seed production, as well as deciduous fruit and wine production. In some areas of the Klein Karoo, agricultural activities have come to a complete halt.

In the Central Karoo and Matzikama region of the West Coast, livestock producers are still dependent on drought aid with natural grazing unlikely to recover in the foreseeable future.