Drought relief deleveries completed in some Provinces
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) continues to make progress in its drought relief programme currently being undertaken in eight provinces. Interventions have been made in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Mpumalanga provinces with the completed delivery of pellets, lucerne bales and molasses.
National Treasury availed an amount of R212 million for procurement of feed for provinces declared as disaster areas. This money has been made available through the Adjusted Estimates of National Expenditure (AENE) and is for livestock feed only.
To date, R164 258 209.41 has been spent on drought pellets, lucerne bales and molasses. More than 454 222 bags of drought pellets and 4 204 tons of lucerne have been delivered to various provinces and are being distributed to farmers.
The Northern Cape Province received its first deliveries on 14 March 2017 in the town of Kenhardt and farmers are encouraged to go to various distribution points to collect their feed when requested by their District Managers to do so. It should be noted that only registered farmers will receive feed.
With the recent rains, there are noticeable improvements to vegetation in most provinces and as a result, livestock conditions have improved.
DAFF remains committed to engage with all relevant stakeholders regarding the drought situation to find solutions for the disaster.
Source: Government of South Africa