THE severe drought has pushed most farmers to the edge of financial ruin, President Jacob Zuma said when he opened the National House of Traditional Leaders on Thursday, but he again stopped short of declaring it a national disaster.
The government has come under increasing criticism for a slow response to the drought crisis, but in his most detailed response to date, Mr Zuma detailed what was being done both nationally and regionally.
"One of the domestic constraints to growth in our country currently is the severe drought. It threatens the livelihoods of our people and has pushed most of the farmers to the edge of financial ruin. Five provinces have declared a state of provincial drought disaster, namely KwaZulu-Natal, the North West, Free State, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
"The situation is very difficult for many farmers. They have seen their livestock die which has cost a lot of money," Mr Zuma said. "Food prices will go up because of the drought. You know this very well as many of these farms are in your areas," he told the assembled traditional leaders.
Mr Zuma said the government had created a drought relief package that focused on identifying land to relocate livestock, revitalising feedlots, drilling and equipment of boreholes, auction sales of livestock, firebreaks creation and provision of feed and water for livestock.
Mr Zuma said a number of government departments were assisting in alleviating the effects of the drought. The primary focus currently is on funding for emergency or immediate needs.
"Interventions are sent to areas where existing water infrastructure is not functional due to drought and where there are no alternative means for water supply. Government is also assisting where water sources have dried up due to drought and communities do not have any alternative means for water supply," the President said.
"In addition to this, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has reprioritised funds to provide livestock feed and water to affected farmers. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform has reprioritised funds for livestock feed, livestock water, firebreaks, feedlots and auction sales," Mr Zuma said.
"The Department of Water and Sanitation has reprioritised funds for the provision of water for human consumption," he added.
President Jacob Zuma addresses the official opening of the National House of Traditional Leaders at the Old Assembly Chamber in Parliament on Thursday. Picture: GCIS
THE severe drought has pushed most farmers to the edge of financial ruin, President Jacob Zuma said when he opened the National House of Traditional Leaders on Thursday, but he again stopped short of declaring it a national disaster.
The government has come under increasing criticism for a slow response to the drought crisis, but in his most detailed response to date, Mr Zuma detailed what was being done both nationally and regionally.
"One of the domestic constraints to growth in our country currently is the severe drought. It threatens the livelihoods of our people and has pushed most of the farmers to the edge of financial ruin. Five provinces have declared a state of provincial drought disaster, namely KwaZulu-Natal, the North West, Free State, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
"The situation is very difficult for many farmers. They have seen their livestock die which has cost a lot of money," Mr Zuma said. "Food prices will go up because of the drought. You know this very well as many of these farms are in your areas," he told the assembled traditional leaders.
Mr Zuma said the government had created a drought relief package that focused on identifying land to relocate livestock, revitalising feedlots, drilling and equipment of boreholes, auction sales of livestock, firebreaks creation and provision of feed and water for livestock.
Mr Zuma said a number of government departments were assisting in alleviating the effects of the drought. The primary focus currently is on funding for emergency or immediate needs.
"Interventions are sent to areas where existing water infrastructure is not functional due to drought and where there are no alternative means for water supply. Government is also assisting where water sources have dried up due to drought and communities do not have any alternative means for water supply," the President said.
"In addition to this, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has reprioritised funds to provide livestock feed and water to affected farmers. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform has reprioritised funds for livestock feed, livestock water, firebreaks, feedlots and auction sales," Mr Zuma said.
"The Department of Water and Sanitation has reprioritised funds for the provision of water for human consumption," he added.
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