Winter might be wrapping its bony fingers around us slowly, but in the first few months of 2016, South Africa was gripped by one of the worst droughts in the country’s history. Farmers criticised government’s slow response, but Agri SA has done some incredible work to assist farmers in these tough times.
Agri SA has since played a major role in terms of drought relief assistance to farming communities. Various programmes were also organised in the Western Cape, Free State, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, KZN and Northwest aimed at bringing relief to destitute communities these past months.
Agri SA has collected R14 million to subsidise or fund the following activities:
12 165 farmers in were assisted with fodder to keep some of their livestock alive.
8 657 farm workers and their families were assisted with food parcels.
39 729 bales of fodder of various sizes were donated or purchased and distributed.
26 580 bags of feed pellets were donated or purchased and distributed.
236 tonnes of mealie meal, food hampers were donated and distributed
200 000 liters of water were donated and distributed.
20 water tanks were donated and distributed.
532 trucks were used to transport fodder, food parcels and water.
R14 million donated by the individuals and companies.
1274 donors donated money to the fund.
150 rural towns were targeted in 6 provinces.
The following amounts were distributed to provinces since January 2016 until May 2016:
Northwest: R3 139 474
Free State: R2 939 474
Western Cape: R2 000 000
Northern Cape: R2 368 421
Eastern Cape: R889 474
Other provinces: R1 160 526