Drought assistance for Hani district farmers

THE LACK of rainfall is causing severe drought conditions and water shortages throughout the Eastern Cape, with rural development and agrarian reform (DRDAR) MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane having indicated that drought relief measures are being put in place.

Qoboshiyane said in a statement that the Chris Hani district was among the three worst hit areas in the province and was in need of immediate aid. Joe Gqabi and Alfred Nzo districts, with some parts of Amathole and OR Tambo were also in dire straits.

The Chris Hani District Municipality was in the process of developing a business plan to combat the situation, with the department identifying feed supply as one of the most critical interventions. In total 520 tons of lucerne, 260 tons of hay and 52 blocks of mineral licks were set to be delivered to af- fected districts with farmers in the Chris Hani district to receive 100 tons of lucerne, 50 tons of hay and 10 blocks of mineral lick.

Water carts were also due to be used with 1 602kl of water delivered to the Chris Hani district. A hundred water tanks had been procured and delivered in the district with 30 going to Lukhanji, 10 to Ngcobo, 40 to Emalahleni and 20 to Tsolwana. Awareness campaigns in affected districts were being run by DRDAR officials who were interacting with farmers to educate them about livestock management during the time of drought and the culling of non-productive animals.

He said the department was providing farmers with relevant information on drought-related matters and the relief interventions communicated to stakeholders.