The North West MEC responsible for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Mr Boitumelo Tshwene says the recent incessant rains remain a cause for concern to his department because farmers are most likely to incur losses as a result of flooding in their production fields.
To determine the extent of floods damage to livestock and crop, the Risk and Disaster Management unit attached to the DARD is currently distributing floods assessment forms for completion by farmers throughout the province.
“At present, we are unable to make any justifiable conclusion on the situation, and can only wait for the water level to subside”, maintains Tshwene.
Tshwene says however that his Department is on daily basis receiving reports from various departmental District offices which have so far revealed that about 1200 ha of crop land, mainly for maize, lucerne and sunflower, has been affected. According to the reports, no livestock mortality has been recorded as a result of floods.
Farmers are therefore encouraged to engage their local Agricultural Extension and Advisory officers on the said assessment forms and their completion thereof. Departmental officials will on receipt of completed forms conduct a physical assessment for facts verification purposes.
MEC Tshwene further advices farmers situated in the low lying areas to move to highveld areas to prevent more loss of human lives, and to be on alert as more heavy rains are anticipated.
The North West province is amongst the seven provinces that will soon be declared disaster areas in the country, and government has for that purpose prioritised humanitarian relief, the repair and upgrading of public infrastructure and agricultural relief as extraordinary interventions.
MEC Tshwene urges farmers to contact the Department’s Risk and Disaster Management officials for further information on the following numbers:
Gladys Botsane
Cell: 082 314 5622
Seitebaleng Bareki
Cell: 072 313 3305
Media enquiries:
Ms Bonolo Mohlakoana
Tel: 018 389 5719
Cell: 082 901 2435
