Farmers in Gopane village in Lehurutshe have expressed gratitude at the government response to their call for drought relief. The department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development delivered the first batch of fodder to farmers in Gopane in order to assist them to feed their livestock as the province is experiencing drought. The event took place on 18 November 2015. About 342 farmers in Gopane and Borakalalo received bags of fodder.
Ms Paulinah Baotsi who was the first registered beneficiaries said she was ecstatic at the gesture. Baotsi said she was beginning to lose hope but the supply of fodder was going to go a long in helping her animals. She said, as a sustainable farmer it does not become easy to deal with challenges associated with drought.
Like Ms Baotsi, Mr Nakedi Atlholang said the drought relief has come at the most needed period. He said it has been painful to see their livestock suffer when there was very little they can do assist. He said he was more grateful that government was also going to assist supply water. Mr Atlholang said he wished that the government support could be sustained.
The department if proving relief to subsistence farmers who had earlier this year, through the assessment process registered for relief.
MEC for READ, Manketsi Tlhape said the department had to reprioritize 20% of its grant funded provincial projects in consideration of the emergency drought relief requirements on fodder and water supply. She said the relief was subsistence farmers who has applied through the assessment process and was going to cover all the districts of the province. MEC Tlhape said it was predicted that drought would be with the country for some time and urged to keep limited livestock that they are able to support. She said she would be happy if farmers begin to treat their efforts as businesses.
Premier Mahumapelo who has accompanied MEC Tlhape to handover fodder said the provincial government was prepared to assist communities in need. Premier said the Setsokotsane programme was meant to go closer to the people an address their needs. He further said the Setsokotsane programme will continue to bring hope and was happy that farmers in Gopane are relieved of a burden of providing food for animals when there was no gracing. Premier urged Gopane community to be patient as their service delivery requests will be addressed in time.
The event was also graced by Kgosi Kereeditse Gopane who delivered message of appreciation on behalf of the community.
Enquiries:
Ms Tsholofelo Dintwe
Tel: 018 389 5768/8
Cell: 079 946 7486
E-mail:tsholofelod@nwpg.gov.za
