MEC distributes fodder to farmers in Mopani

Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Joy Matshoge and senior officials of her department visited the Mopani area last Thursday where they distributed fodder and supplementary livestock feed to drought stricken smallholder and subsistence farmers.
Matshoge and her entourage interacted with farmers to learn more about the challenges they face and get first-hand experience on the challenges on the ground so as to enable the department to make on-spot interventions where necessary. “The ultimate objective is to ensure that all the deserving farmers who have registered to be assisted do indeed get help. To date, the province has spent R20 million to assist the troubled livestock farmers throughout the province,” Matshoge is quoted to have said during the visit.
She added that 7 000 smallholder and subsistence farmers have been helped with fodder from the department through the reprioritised budget of the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (Casp) and the Ilima-Letsema programme which focuses on increasing food production and rehabilitating irrigation schemes. “However, given the severity of the drought and the unusual heat wave, the numbers will increase once additional funds are available through both the national treasury and the national disaster management centre,” Matshoge reportedly said.
Spokesperson of the Department, Selby Makgotho said from Monday the MEC will also visit other districts to distribute fodder to the farmers. Matshoge will be joined by Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Senzeni Zokwana and his Deputy Bheki Cele for the second leg of fodder distribution in the province.
“We started with Mopani and the farmers were happy with what we gave them. We had 14 000 applications and we have already allocated fodder to 7 000 applicants,” Makgotho said and added that they were still waiting for the Minister’s office to inform which district he will start with.
Zokwana’s visit is part of his department’s outreach to farmers in various provinces who are affected by the drought. “The Minister decided to start with Limpopo because it is one of provinces hardest hit by drought,” Makgotho said.

Story: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za

Photo: Joy Matshoge, MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development hands over a bag of fodder to Farmers in Mopani.