Limpopo needs R38m to mitigate drought
THE Limpopo department of agriculture has asked for an additional
R38?million from the Treasury to assist drought-affected farmers, a spokesperson
has said.
R38?million from the Treasury to assist drought-affected farmers, a spokesperson
has said.
Thembi Makhuvele said yesterday the department had done a thorough
assessment of agricultural climatic conditions and found severe drought
conditions in most parts of the province.
assessment of agricultural climatic conditions and found severe drought
conditions in most parts of the province.
Weather forecasts show a high probability of moderately strong El
Nino conditions, which would lead to below-normal rainfall and above normal
temperatures for the 2009/10 summer rainfall season.
Nino conditions, which would lead to below-normal rainfall and above normal
temperatures for the 2009/10 summer rainfall season.
The worst affected areas were the Mopani district, Musina and
Mutale municipalities in the Vhembe district, Lephalale and Mogalakwena
municipalities in the Waterberg district, Blouberg and Lepelle Nkumpi
municipalities in the Capricorn district and Fetakgomo and Makhuduthamaga in the
Sekhukhune district.
Mutale municipalities in the Vhembe district, Lephalale and Mogalakwena
municipalities in the Waterberg district, Blouberg and Lepelle Nkumpi
municipalities in the Capricorn district and Fetakgomo and Makhuduthamaga in the
Sekhukhune district.
In anticipation of the current drought, the department had already
spent R24?million in the previous financial year to mitigate the effects of the
drought in the five districts.
spent R24?million in the previous financial year to mitigate the effects of the
drought in the five districts.
The money went towards constructing and de-silting 10 earth dams
for livestock water, equipping 130 boreholes with windmills and pumps,
construction and repair of 80 drinking troughs and the installation of
10?000-litre water storage tanks for the boreholes.
for livestock water, equipping 130 boreholes with windmills and pumps,
construction and repair of 80 drinking troughs and the installation of
10?000-litre water storage tanks for the boreholes.
This financial year the department has already spent R5?million to
assist veld fire and drought affected farmers in the province.
assist veld fire and drought affected farmers in the province.
It was also supplying livestock feed at a subsidised prices to
assist veld fire affected and drought affected farmers for another R5?million in
all the 25 municipalities.
assist veld fire affected and drought affected farmers for another R5?million in
all the 25 municipalities.
Agriculture MEC Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba was due to address the media on
drought mitigation strategies today.
drought mitigation strategies today.
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