Farmers set to benefit as millions set aside for drought relief programmes

With the persistent drought that has gripped the Eastern Cape since 2015 not showing signs of ending any time soon, the Eastern Cape government is putting measures in place to ensure millions of residents do not run out of water.

Farmers, who have also been hard hit with livestock dying in droves as dam levels continue to plummet with no substantial rainfall recorded in years, will also get a helping hand from the department of rural development & agriculture.

Millions of rand have been set aside to mitigate the effects of the drought, MEC Nonkubela Pieters  announced in March, while delivering the budget and policy speech at the legislature.

She said while the SA Weather Service had not forecast any substantial rainfall for the months ahead, government would not sit by idly.

Systems would be put in place to conserve water and ensure the proverbial day zero was averted for many communities.

“To improve access to water for rural communities, the Eastern Cape department of rural development &  agrarian reform supported by the department of co-operative governance & traditional affairs & local government, implemented spring water protection projects that benefited six villages in Chris Hani, Amathole, Joe Gqabi and Alfred Nzo; 180 temporary jobs were created.

“In the 2021-22 financial year, R3.7m has been allocated to implement three spring water protection projects in Joe Gqabi, Alfred Nzo and Chris Hani,” she said.

Regarding drought mitigation projects, Pieters said the department had “encouraged farmers to produce hay locally to address feed shortage as part of contingency reserves for the province”.

“As part of long-term drought mitigation factors, the department has supported production of fodder in 2,600ha, commissioned 55 boreholes and rehabilitated 82 earth dams at a cost of R35m.

“In partnership with the Department of Agriculture, land reform & rural development, 90 boreholes have been drilled and will be commissioned soon.

“We will continue to enhance those relief measures in the 2021-22 financial year by expanding fodder production in Chris Hani, rehabilitation of earth dams and refurbishment of boreholes in all districts with an allocation of R10.5m,” she said.

However, farmers would have to register with the department to benefit.

Pieters said 20,661 smallholder producers had already registered.

“The department is making a call to all smallholder farmers to ensure that they are registered in the farmer register.

“Farmers who are not registered will not benefit from government programmes.”

Pieters said the department had not neglected those in the manufacturing industry, and had donated 200 industrial sewing machines and sewing material to 100 clothing and textile co-operatives and businesses.

“The department will continue to support textile co-operatives with sewing machines and material to a value of R2m.

“These projects have also been supported with training provided by Mpofu and Tsolo Agriculture and Development Institute.

“Furthermore, the department will continue to support rural development through various rural enterprises with a budget of R5m.”