Durban - Drought relief for farmers is to be rolled out by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to the tune of R114 million, it has been announced.
Subsistence, small holder and commercial farmers are to benefit.
Agriculture MEC Cyril Xaba announced on Saturday that R60m from the fund would be to support livestock farmers.
About R45m would be for the rehabilitation of 75 dams and 62 boreholes.
Xaba also announced that R9m was for an “aggressive de-worming” of livestock.
He said his department had started a while ago to seek funding from its coffers.
“An initial R24 million was identified but the major boost came last week when Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Senzeni Zokwana agreed that we reprioritise part of the Ilima/Letsema project conditional grant.
“The money will be used for livestock feed, water reticulation support for food production and stock watering support,” Xaba said.
The subsidy would be for feed, multivitamins and dips.
It would also go towards water harvesting inputs such as Jojo tanks, troughs and pipes.
“Farmers will have to register to participate in the scheme and they will get the subsidy once they make purchase of any of the above items, through the recognised outlets that are on the drought database.
“The scheme, which will run for three months, will be closely monitored by department officials who will be stationed at respective agriculture outlets,” he said.
Daily News
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