The MEC for North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Desbo Mohono says a total of 23 346 farmers who applied for emergency relief will receive bags of fodder from Monday, 18 November 2013.
This follows the approval and allocation of emergency relief funds to the tune of R43 million by National Treasury, which will be used to purchase and distribute fodder to farmers throughout the province.
“We have already appointed service providers who will supply and deliver the bags to farmers, and while we are aware that the situation out there is disastrous, we remain positive that what will be provided, will certainly make a difference,” remarked MEC Mohono.
North West province was declared drought-stricken in line with the Disaster Management Act and assessment was conducted to determine the extent of assistance needed; the outcome of which revealed that about 920 000 animals were affected by drought. Farmers who applied for relief are urged to engage their local Agricultural Extension Officers regarding the points of fodder distribution.
