Farmers from the Vhembe region are counting their losses, following two weeks of heavy downpours that caused massive damage to their crops, livestock and road infrastructure. All around, rivers are in flood and dams overflowing, while roads and bridges have been swept away.

Some areas, however, have especially been affected by the flash floods. Farmers from the Nwanedi area told Limpopo Mirror that they were yet to recover from the impact. Ms Margaret Mukwevho, one of the crop farmers in this area, said that the rain had affected farming operations badly, with most crops now showing signs of nitrogen deficiency because of water logging. She has lost thousands of rands. “We have already planted our crops, now the fields are full of water. The storage sheds are full of water too and the fertiliser that was kept there is no more. Everything on the farm is full of water. I am appealing to government to come and assist us here,” Mukwevho said.

Another crop farmer, Mr Maano Ramatshimbila, said damages to his farm were estimated at more than R500 000. “We had severe rains over the past few weeks. It has affected the land on which we had already planted. We are holding our collective breath that the heavy rains cease to fall in order to harvest our tomatoes,” he said.

Well-known livestock farmer Mr Emmanuel Mudau said that although they were grateful for the recent rainfall in the province, which have brought them much-needed relief, it also brought concerns when it continued for too long. He explained that the continuing rain causes pans of standing water, which is ideal breeding place for mosquitoes, which then transmit the Rift Valley fever virus that causes pregnant livestock to abort their babies.

He advised livestock farmers to monitor and control animal diseases before and during the rainy season by providing feed supplements such as licks - especially for pregnant animals. He also advised farmers to vaccinate their livestock.

Source - https://www.zoutnet.co.za