GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - Western Cape farmers in areas worst affected by drought are receiving drought support of R48,1 million from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA).
Large parts of the Western Cape, specifically the Central Karoo, Little Karoo, and the Northern parts of the West Coast, are still experiencing drought conditions, despite recent rains.
Based on its provincial risk assessment, including technical veld assessments, the WCDoA distributed 4 065 fodder vouchers over three months during April and June to livestock farmers in critical drought areas.
Agriculture Minister Dr Ivan Meyer said provincial risk assessments are undertaken to determine, amongst others, the current status of the prevailing drought through the evaluation of the natural veld conditions. "The natural veld condition is an excellent indicator to identify areas still experiencing a drought. Areas with below-average rainfall predicted for the next eight months were prioritised for support."
In the 2021-2022 financial year, the WCDoA implemented the following drought risk reduction interventions:
R12 million in drought fodder was allocated to support farmers in Central Karoo, Garden Route, Overberg, Cape Winelands, and the Matzikama area in the West Coast District.
R235 000 in seed support to 22 farmers in the Garden Route and Central Karoo District.
R29 million for the removal of invasive alien plants. R11 million was allocated for river protection works to ensure water security and protect viable agricultural land and ensure ecosystem functioning and Fencing projects totalling R8,75 million are currently being implemented in the Central Karoo, Garden Route and the West Coast Districts.
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