R51 million requested for drought mitigation

The Provincial Government has requested R51 million from the National Government for drought mitigation to assist in relieving the plight of affected Limpopo farmers.
According to Provincial Government Spokesperson Phuti Seloba R51 million had been requested from the National Government, over and above R3 million set aside by the Limpopo administration to assist local farmers. “Although the money is not enough, we believe that it is sufficient to help us with the mitigation programme,” he indicated.
A week ago Limpopo was declared a drought disaster area amid the effects of the prevailing dry spell gripping several regions in the province and a countrywide water crisis.
Interviewing both established and emerging farmers for purposes of inclusion in the lead story on the front page of last week’s edition of Polokwane Observer, it was learnt that the current situation has necessitated surviving farmers across the province to make alternative arrangements while others had already been forced to their knees.

Story: YOLANDE NEL
>>observer.yolande@gmail.com