KZN farmers count R65m losses after natural disasters
image: Internet
by Kelebogile Matlou
Farmers in KwaZulu-Natal have lost an estimated R65 million in crops and cattle this fiscal year due to floods, storms, and climate-related calamities that decimated the province’s agriculture sector.
Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa, KwaZulu-Natal’s MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, verified the scale of the destruction, emphasizing the devastating impact on rural farming communities. Despite their massive losses, affected farmers have yet to receive government compensation, putting many in debt.
Members of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature have urged the national government to expedite the distribution of R65 million in relief monies. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also advocated for the establishment of a provincial agricultural catastrophe risk and recovery fund to ensure transparent and equitable payments to farmers.
image: Internet
“The notion of state responsibility is clear, when calamity strikes, the government has an obligation to respond. The idea of fairness is also clear, farmers who feed the nation should not be abandoned when nature takes away their ability to do so,” the DA stated in a statement.
Farmers in South Africa have been warned to increase fire prevention measures, as the growing threat of veld fires could result in additional crop and livestock losses, pushing food prices even higher. Dawie Maree, Head of Information and Marketing at FNB Agriculture, highlighted that rising food prices remain a major issue for consumers as the agricultural sector faces climate-related problems.
