Limpopo Premier Addresses Livestock Farmers at Mphagani Village
Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba met with livestock farmers in Mphagani Village to discuss the severe drought impacting the region on Sundnay.
This meeting followed a comprehensive assessment of the dire conditions facing farmers in both the Mopani and Vhembe districts, where prolonged dry spells have left land parched and grazing fields virtually nonexistent.
Ramathuba assured farmers that the government is fully aware of the challenges they are enduring and pledged to provide assistance, particularly through the process of declaring the area a disaster zone.
“We are fighting against a natural phenomenon here; our prayers are that it rains soon. In the meantime, we need to assist these farmers to stay afloat with some resources we have been able to gather,” she stated.
In an immediate response to the crisis, the Premier delivered 80 bags of concentrates and 13 bales weighing 2,500 kilograms each to the Mphagani Farmers Association.
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This emergency aid is part of a larger plan, with additional measures set to roll out in the coming weeks to support farmers throughout the Mopani and Vhembe districts.
Accompanying the Premier were key officials, including the MEC for the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the MEC for Limpopo Department of Health (Bophelong), Ms. Dieketseng Mashego, Greater Giyani Municipality Mayor Cllr Thandi Zitha, and Cllr Maripe Mangena, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Mopani District Municipality.
The Premier announced that further supplies would be dispatched to farmers in the Vhembe and Mopani areas, emphasizing the government’s commitment to supporting the agricultural community during these challenging times.
TimesLive has reported that Limpopo has requested funds from the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) as the province grapples with drought and farmers losing their livestock.
The Limpopo department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs (Coghsta) urgently requested an additional allocation of R25m.
The funding is expected to support critical relief measures, including R15m for livestock feed and R10m for livestock watering.
Limpopo Premier Addresses Livestock Farmers at Mphagani Village