Question NW3771 to the MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
05 November 2015 - NW3771
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
What plans does his department have in place to assist livestock farmers who are affected by severe drought especially in KwaZulu-Natal?
Reply:
The KZN Department of Agriculture & Rural Development and Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) conducted a joint assessment with relevant stakeholders in order to establish the extent of the disaster and to establish the number farming communities affected. The provincial assessment reports were then submitted for declaration processes to the Provincial Disaster Management Center (PDMC) and further to the National Disaster Management Center (NDMC) for classification of National Disaster as per Disaster Management processes. The Provincial departments of agriculture have compiled a request for funding through their respective PDMC’s to the NDMC.
Currently a state of disaster was declared in KwaZulu Natal and agriculture was not included on the declaration; however the process of re - declarations of state of disaster for Agriculture and other sectors are underway and the classification will follow at a later stage. The KwaZulu Natal province in the meantime established a provincial drought scheme and is currently implementing an amount of R6 Million on the purchase of livestock feed to assist the affected farmers. The drought assistance has been further sourced from Industrial Development Cooperation (IDC) and Land bank and were advised to consider other farmers within their drought schemes.
DAFF continues to provide support and guidance to the provinces regarding disaster related matters particularly on the promotion of Disaster Risk Reduction Measures as prescribed by the Disaster Management Act (57 of 2002). Early warning information and advisory information are issued to the sector, which include strategies to implement during dry conditions; also coping strategies for drought have been developed and disseminated to the farming communities and officials in the sector. The Provincial Departments of Agriculture are also requested to establish Disaster Risk Management Units to enhance risk management operations in their provinces.