Western Cape's R23m lifeline for drought relief

The Western Cape Government has thrown a R23 million lifeline to farmers hit by the impact of drought.

Alan Winde‚ the province's Minister of Economic Opportunities‚ made the announcement on Wednesday during his 2016/17 budget speech for the Department of Agriculture.

This is in addition to the R11 million emergency funding the department has already made available.

“We have requested R88 million from the national government in drought relief. While national considers our request‚ farmers have very real obligations that cannot wait on onerous government processes.

“That’s why‚ in the Western Cape‚ we have granted emerging farmers R11 million in emergency funding to ensure that they can pay their workers‚ and do not go out of business due to the losses they suffer because of the drought. This is another way we have invested in the future of the agriculture sector‚” Winde said.

He said the R23 million would go to farmers in the areas with the greatest need.

“The funds will be released immediately and will be used as a subsistence allowance to assist farmers during this period.”