The MEC for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in the Northern Cape; Norman Shushu said proactive measures should be taken to speed up assistance to farmers affected by veld fires in the province.
MEC Shushu was commenting after visiting and assessing farms that were ravaged by veld fires in Koopmansfontein in the Frances Baard district last Friday.
The aim of the MEC's visit was to establish the extent of the damaged caused by veld fires in the area. About 18 000 hectares of grazing land in Koopmansfontein and 19060 in the John Taolo Gaetsewe district municipality have been ravaged by veld fires.
The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development has assembled about 80 tons of Lucerne to the tune of about R320 000 as an emergency relief to assist the affected farmers in both municipalities.
The MEC also expressed his gratitude to all role players like the police, farm workers, the officials of the department, fire fighters and farmers in their efforts to extinguish the fires. Motorist and pedestrians are requested not to throw away cigarettes butts as they are contributing to veld fires.
Annually veld fires result in disastrous losses of natural grazing, animals, infrastructure and some instance can lead to the loss of human lives. Veld fires are a serious threat to the agricultural sector and land users/farmers are requested to adhere to the following:
Ensure fire-fighting equipments are easily accessible and in good conditions
Be aware of and participate in the local Fire Protection Association (FPA) activities and plans Control and restrict open fires, (e.g. creation of veld fire belts)
Monitor the farm or land for possible veld fires regularly and reports veld fires immediately to the Local Fire Protection Association, municipalities, Extension Officers and the South African Police and have their contact numbers at hand.
These sporadic blazes are mainly fuelled by the dry state of the vegetations as well as the prevailing winds during this period of the year and results in runaway veld fires.
In its effort to combat this problem the department has distributed 45 Fire Fighting units and trained about 45 people on the effective and safe handling of fire fighting equipments, as well as practical fire fighting methods.
The department's Sustainable Resource Management division will continuously monitor the conditions and warnings will be issued to stakeholders.
Enquiries:
Phemelo Manankong
Tel: 053 839 7881
Cell: 071 8895 112
E-mail: pmanankong@ncpg.gov.za
Source: Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Northern Cape Provincial Government
MEC Norman Shushu visit farms ravaged by veld fires in Koopmansfontein
Province
