Recent floods have taken a heavy toll on South African farmers who have reported major losses on their farms.

Farmers across the country are reporting substantial damage to farms after days of heavy downpours which led to farm floods. In some areas, the damage to fields and crops is so extensive that crop losses are almost 100%.

While farmers count their losses, the government has declared a state of disaster in at least seven provinces. Farmers say the declaration must be followed by resources to provide relief to farmers and rebuild critical infrastructure.

Natural disasters taking their toll
In KwaZulu-Natal, one of the hardest hit provinces. Farmers in the area suffered a lot of damage to their infrastructure, planting lands, as well as the bridge over the Buffalo River.

David Mthombeni, provincial chairperson for the African Farmer’s Association of South Africa (Afasa) in Mpumalanga, says farmers and residents of the Ehlanzeni district reported losing almost all of their crops.

Marius Rooi of the National African Farmers Union (Nafu) based in Upington, said the floods have had a detrimental effect on farmers in Eksteenskuil, explaining that water from the Orange River filled up to the top, and spilt over the bridge.

“The previous year’s flooding has already placed our members on the back foot and some of them started farming just recently. I don’t know how they will be able to recover.”

Agri SA has in the meantime welcomed the declaration of a state of disaster addressing flood damage in the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Free State, and North West.
The announcement was made by the minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com