DROOGTE-ONDERSTEUNING AAN WES-KAAP VERWELKOM
Agri Wes-Kaap het kennis geneem van die R25 miljoen wat die nasionale regering vir droogte-ondersteuning in die Sentraal-Karoo en Tuinroete-distrik bewillig het.
Die Sentraal-Karoo is vanjaar in ‘n sesde jaar van droogte. Agri Wes-Kaap lewer steeds droogtehulp aan veeprodusente in die gebied.
Mnr Jannie Strydom, uitvoerende hoof van Agri Wes-Kaap, sê enige bydrae tot droogtehulp word verwelkom. “Agri Wes-Kaap sal wel wil weet hoe die bedrag tussen die onderskeie projekte waarvoor die geld geoormerk is, ingedeel gaan word en wat die bedrag is wat na veevoer vir produsente gaan.
“Projekte om die impak van die droogte te versag is eweneens noodsaaklik en Agri Wes-Kaap het waardering vir die provinsiale Departement van Landbou se visie om belangrike intervensie-projekte soos bewaringslandbou en die uitwissing van indringerspesies aan te pak,” sê hy.
Mnr Strydom sê die droogtetoestande in die Kliprand- en Bitterfontein-omgewing in die Weskus-distrik is geweldig kritiek met veeprodusente wat hier ook in ‘n sesde jaar van droogte verkeer. “Selfs met goeie reën dié winter gaan die natuurlike weiveld hier etlike jare neem om te herstel,” sê hy.
DROUGHT SUPPORT FOR WESTERN CAPE WELCOMED
Agri Western Cape took note of the R25 million allocated for drought support in the Central Karoo and Garden Route district by the national government. The Central Karoo is currently in its sixth year of a drought and Agri Western Cape continues to provide drought assistance to livestock producers in the area.
Mr Jannie Strydom, CEO of Agri Western Cape, says any contribution to drought assistance is welcomed. “Agri Western Cape would like to know how the amount will be divided between the various projects earmarked, and what amount will go towards livestock feed for producers.
“Drought mitigation projects are equally essential and Agri Western Cape appreciates the provincial Department of Agriculture’s vision to tackle major intervention projects such as conservation agriculture and the eradication of invasive species,” he says.
Mr Strydom says the drought conditions in the Kliprand and Bitterfontein areas in the West Coast district are severe and livestock producers here are also in a sixth year of drought. “Even with good rainfall this winter, the natural grazing will take several years to recover,” he says.
Media Release by Minister Ivan Meyer on the decision to grant the Western Cape R25m in drought mitigation support.
19 March 2020
WESTERN CAPE TO RECEIVE R25 MILLION IN DROUGHT SUPPORT
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer has expressed his gratitude on the news that the Western Cape will be receiving an additional amount of R25 million towards drought mitigation interventions in the Central Karoo and Garden Route Districts.
Minister Meyer: “I welcome the news that the National Government has allocated R25 million towards drought mitigation in the Central Karoo and Garden Route Districts. The funds will assist in alleviating some of the impact of the drought bringing much needed relief to some of the most severely affected by the drought.”
Projects that will be implemented include fodder for livestock in the extremely critical areas, stock watering systems, conservation agriculture, alien clearing and fencing.
Climate change predictions have shown that the Western Cape will become drier with an even more erratic rainfall pattern. Authorities will therefore have to mitigate this by stepping up the management of natural resources such as land, water, soil, plants and animals.
“It is therefore imperative that we manage our natural resources effectively as sustainable resource management will improve the economic viability of the agriculture sector in the Western Cape” said the Minister.
Mr Strydom says it is a pity that the Matzikama area in the West Coast district will not benefit from the contribution. “The drought conditions in the Kliprand and Bitterfontein areas are severe and livestock producers are in a sixth year of drought. Even with good rainfall this winter, the natural grazing will take several years to recover.”
Mnr Strydom sê dit is jammer dat die Matzikama-gebied in die Weskus-distrik nie by die bydrae gaan baat nie. “Die droogtetoestande in die Kliprand- en Bitterfontein-omgewing is geweldig kritiek met veeprodusente wat in ‘n sesde jaar van droogte verkeer. Selfs met goeie reën dié winter gaan die natuurlike weiveld hier etlike jare neem om te herstel.”