While drought-stricken areas of the Western Cape will need three years of above-average rainfall for the veld to fully recover, the provincial government has supported more than 1 100 farmers with fodder support.
The fodder was distributed to “critical and extremely drought-stricken areas” in April, confirmed Dr Ivan Meyer, the Western Cape agriculture minister, this morning.
According to Meyer, his department has categorised the veld in parts of the Central Karoo, Garden Route and West Coast districts as critical or extremely critical following the severe, years-long drought.
The categorisation was based on the latest bi-annual veld assessment completed in March 2021.
“The veld conditions in many parts of the Central Karoo have deteriorated. The veld in Little Karoo is currently in an arid condition, with critically dry areas. Conditions in the Matzikama Local Municipality have not changed much since the 2020 assessment.
“The area is still in extremely critical condition. The veld condition in the Mossel Bay and Hessequa Local Municipalities is currently in a dry condition having received below-average rainfall.”
Long-term solution
Meyer highlighted that, in the interim, farmers are encouraged to adopt sustainable farming practices.
“Further support is provided by offering workshops to assist farmers in introducing disaster risk reduction methodologies and practices on their farms. By doing so, we prepare farmers for future disaster episodes impacted by climate change.”
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