KZN farmers welcome R114 million drought assistance
KwaZulu-Natal's drought-hit farmers across the province have welcomed the R114 million lifeline from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development allocated to assist them but fear it might not be enough.
The drought funds are meant to help subsistence farmers, small-scale farmers and commercial farmers with water harvesting, the scooping of dams and the rehabilitation of boreholes and the de-worming of livestock.
MEC Cyril Xaba met with affected farmers' yesterday in Durban to discuss their situation.
Jozini farmer Phenius Gumede says they appreciate the financial support from the department as live stock and crop have suffered severely from the drought.
"This disaster is something that I have never seen in 20 years in this district. Looking at the situation at the moment we do believe that this support will make a difference but not as much as it it supposed to", he said.
President of the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union Andy Buchan says the drought has left many farmers in debt.
"The extent of debt will vary from area to area depending on the severity of the drought. It will depend on the type of farming and also the financial leverage", he said.
(File photo)