Farmers face crop disaster after water loss

AROUND 300 farmers in the Olifants River Valley are facing losing their entire crops and millions of rand because a channel delivering water from the Clanwilliam Dam broke on Monday.

Agri Wes-Cape, the body representing agriculture in the province, said yesterday the valley was “heading for an agricultural disaster”.

It said the 300 farmers were from Lutzville, Strandfontein, Klawer, Ebernhaezer and Vredendal.

More than 200 000 tons of wine grapes and 100 tons of tomatoes were threatened. January and February were critical times for these crops to be irrigated and farmers needed a maximum water supply.

Temperatures in the valley were high and crops were already showing signs of stress. Without water some vineyards may suffer permanent damage. In addition about half a hectare of vineyards was flooded on Monday when the channel broke its banks.

Agri Wes-Cape said the Lower Olifants River Water User Association had spent about R12 million on maintenance of a 260km stretch of the channel from the Clanwilliam Dam, and had not received any financial assistance from the Department of Water Affairs.

Gideon van Zyl, from the farm Wilgenhof, said two years ago a broken channel from the dam had led to R3m in damage.

“Government must help with maintenance work on the channel. The economy of the whole area depends on it,” he said.

The water association has been working on repairs on the channel since Monday night. Thirteen tractors and pumps are being used to try to pump water around the damaged section. The association hopes this can be completed by Saturday.

Carl Opperman, head of Agri Wes-Cape, said the Department of Water Affairs had a responsibility to maintain the channel.

“Deteriorating infrastructure is a serious problem. Producers are left with a crisis in a critical production period. The problem is far bigger that a water shortage. Crop and production losses can lead to labour and investment losses, which can become a crisis for the entire country,” he said. – Environment Writer