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Junie 2016
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Thousands benefit from
Drought Relief Fund
S
outh Africa is facing its worst
drought since 1982 and the nega-
tive impact on social, environmen-
tal and economic stability poses
a major threat to food security throughout
the Southern African Region.
Agri SA plays a key role in promoting the
development, profitability, stability and su-
stainability of agriculture in South Africa.
By means of its nine provincial offices,
1 000 producer organisations and 24 com-
modity organisations, it is well positioned
to play a co-ordinating role to handle the
challenges of drought conditions.
As a leading maize producer South Africa
will, in 2016, reap the smallest harvest
since 2007. The El Niño weather phenom-
enon resulted in abnormal low rainfall in
many parts of the country. Five of the nine
provinces in South Africa were declared
drought disaster areas.
The drought also impacted negatively on
water supplies across the country. Sup-
plies this year amount to 64,3% compared
to 74,6% the previous year. Thousands of
livestock also succumbed to the drought
and the impact on rural communities has
been severe and traumatic.
Water shortages are also experienced by
more than 2,7 million households in the
country. According to the UN Food Agency,
approximately 14 million people face hunger
in the Southern African region. The South
African Weather Service says that 2015
was the driest year on record since 1904.
As a major role-player in agriculture,
Agri SA has been very active and vocal
since August 2015 because of the disas-
trous effect of the El Niño phenomenon. A
task team was established to manage all
matters related to the drought. A drought
relief fund was also launched and the na-
tional and provincial network of Agri SA
was activated to assist with the distribution
of fodder and humanitarian aid to drought-
stricken areas.
In August 2015 Agri SA resolved that re-
search should be done to quantify the ef-
fect of possible El Niño phenomena on the
agricultural sector so that politicians and
stakeholders can be warned in advance.
The Drought Relief Fund was established
by Agri SA and Senwes in November 2015
and an action plan was initiated in January
2016, which included an appeal to all corpo-
rates to support the fund.
A task team consisting of senior staff of
the Agri SA head and provincial offices
under my leadership were tasked with re-
sponsibilities such as the identification of
areas that were in desperate need, facili-
tating the transport of fodder and various
types of humanitarian aid, managing media,
finances, logistics as well as monitoring
and reporting all drought relief efforts. Up
until now an amount of R14 million was dis-
tributed amongst the provinces and all of
them report back on a monthly basis.
In addition well-known chain store groups,
millers and companies in co-operation with
Agri SA and its provincial offices, offered
humanitarian assistance to various com-
munities. These include communities and
farm workers in 147 farming towns or dis-
tricts in the Free State, North West Province,
Northern and Western Cape.
These actions complement the widespread
distribution of fodder to approximately
5 000 producers in all drought-stricken
provinces. 15 000 bales of fodder as well
as 10 000 bags of feed pellets were distrib-
uted to these producers.
Agri SA is also very grateful to all produc-
ers who donated fodder and all the trucking
companies who assisted with the transport
thereof. Approximately 400 interlinks were
used thus far to transport fodder to produc-
ers in need. A large percentage of start-
up black farmers also benefited from the
initiative.
Thuso Mills in Bothaville in the Free State,
provided relief to 900 farm workers in
the Brandfort, Hertzogville, Boshoff and
Dealesville areas with a maize meal
RELEVANT
CHRISTO VAN DER RHEEDE,
deputy executive director: Agri SA
Agri SA has collected R14 million to subsidise or fund the
following activities:
12 165 producers 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 tons of mealie meal food hampers were donated and
distributed.
200 000 litres 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.
1 274 donors donated money to the fund.
150 rural towns were targeted in six provinces.
The following amounts were distributed to provinces since
January 2016 until May 2016:
North West Province: 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