November 6, 2019

South Africa farmers urge government help for drought-stricken farms

The African Farmers Association of South Africa (AFASA) calls on the government to announce a national disaster as the agriculture industry is severely affected by the drought, reported The Citizen South Africa.

Neo Masithela, chairperson of AFASA said farmers have reported increased livestock and crop losses, falling water levels in dams and dried out boreholes. 

The association reported the provinces of North West, Limpopo, the Western Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape and the Eastern Cape as the worst affected by the drought, with KwaZulu-Natal accounting for more than R12 million (~US$813,460, R1 = US$0.04) in livestock losses.

Wandile Sihlobo, agricultural economist said there is cause for the government to provide livestock feed in areas badly impacted by the drought, but he estimates normal rainfalls to resume between November 2019 to January 2020 as dam levels have reached above 50% average.

South Africa has proposed "water shedding" as a method to counteract the heavy downpour absence if consumers do not follow restrictions.

Africa's Department of Water Affairs said dam levels are lower than average compared to the same time last year. The department cited the Katse Dam in the Lesotho Highlands is down 13.6% compared to 49% in 2018. This dam is South Africa's main back up.

- The Citizen South Africa