POLOKWANE – With the continuing drought, both crop and livestock farmers in the province have experienced massive losses.
The Mopani and Sekhukhune districts are the hardest hit by drought, putting seasonal workers in a precarious situation during planting and harvesting periods as they might not be required to work in the fields.
In November last year, the Department of Agriculture and Land Reform allocated R20 million towards drought relief, but only a handful benefited from the intervention.
So far, R16,8 million has already been used. Notwithstanding the financial assistance, some farmers say they had to dig deep into their own pockets to salvage what was left, resulting in low profit gains.
Due to starvation and thirst, carcasses of livestock are scattered all over grazing camps while crop farmers have not harvested the expected volumes.
Sekhakhane Thoka, a livestock farmer in rural Botlokwa, has no inkling about government’s drought relief. Over the festive season he had to watch haplessly as two bulls died as a result of famine and dehydration.
“When it became apparent there was a drought, we crossed our fingers and hoped for rain. As the drought continued, many heatwaves also hit the province. It was saddening to see our livestock dying from thirst and hunger,” said Thoka.
To avoid further loss of his livestock, Thoka was forced to buy fodder with his own money.
Lydia Mthimkhulu, a mango and litchi farmer in the Tzaneen area, said she had sleepless nights due to the drought. “We are in for rough times. We hope and pray for rain, but our prayers have gone unanswered so far. Our crops are shrinking. All we can do is to watch helplessly as our envisaged profits continue to dwindle,” she decried.
Provincial president of the African Farmers Association of South Africa, Tshianeo Mathidi, said there had been an extreme of loss in the agricultural sector.
Mathibedi said: “Due to no rain, our livestock did not gain weight. Because of this, their prices were low or they were unsuited to be sold.
“When it comes to crops, the yield at the fields were so low most farmers suffered a loss. Many crops were lost due to the drought and farmers are now unable to plant new crops due to the severe water shortage. The water shortage also has a negative impact on the livestock”.
