Picture Leon Lestrade. Picture Leon Lestrade.
Cape Town - The Western Cape government has approved an interim emergency support package of over R655 000 to be paid out to 18 grain farmers and 25 farm workers most affected by continuing drought in the West Coast and Central Karoo.
The support package is an interim measure, while national government processes the provincial government’s application to declare affected areas in the Western Cape a drought disaster zone.
The agricultural sector, which is one of the Western Cape’s most important, has been the hardest hit by water shortages, with farmers battling to harvest crops, feed their livestock and pay their workers.
Economic Opportunities MEC Alan Winde on Wednesday gave the green light for the support package to be paid out to designated emerging farmers whose livelihoods and businesses are at risk due to continuing water shortages in the province.
“It is targeted at emerging grain farmers who will receive a maximum of R6 500 a month for six months to ensure their food security, and to assist them to remain in the sector,” Winde said.
The move follows a stringent assessment process conducted on affected farms, where more than 60 percent of total crops may be lost.
As part of the relief measures, farmers who are battling to pay the wages of farm workers will be able to access subsidies amounting to 70 percent of the minimum wage, or R1 824.75 a month, per employee.
This support will be paid to the identified farmworkers for a period of not more than six months.
“The support package approved today is aimed at safeguarding the livelihood of emerging farmers and farmworkers who have been very badly affected by the drought.
“The majority of the farms which will receive support are expected to suffer an over 80 percent loss in yield,” Winde said.
He added that the decision had been taken as part of a government commitment to furthering land reform in the province.
“We need to support our emerging farmers through this time to ensure that they remain in the sector and continue to grow,” he added.
In total, the approved support package amounts to R655 914.
The Department of Agriculture’s Farmworker Support and Development Unit will work to ensure the smooth roll-out of the disbursements.
Cape Argus
warda.meyer@inl.co.za