W Cape thirsty for rain

2003-06-13 23:16

Philda Essop

Cape Town - The drought in some parts of the Western Cape's rural areas is heading for a catastrophe if it doesn't rain within the next fortnight.

Tertius Archer, deputy chairperson of the Namaqualand agricultural co-operation, says: "Although a few prayer meetings have been held to pray for rain, animal fodder is so scarce that some farmers are selling their cattle.

Archer says the situation in Namaqualand and Bushmanland is serious. "We haven't received a drop of rain in the summer rainfall area. We are now halfway through the rainy winter season, but it's still very dry," he said.

He warned that seed farmers were at the edge of a chasm because some farmers haven't sown at all.

"The sowing season has come and gone, which means that farmers won't be able to produce fodder for their animals for the next summer season. Fodder crops such as barley, oats and wheat should have been planted by now. The demand for lucerne is very high and it's virtually unobtainable".

Several young farmers who applied for and received loans, are desperate. "Their animals are dying of hunger," Archer said. "Established farmers can get loans, but they also face problems."

Koos van Rensburg, chief executive officer of Boland Agri, described the situation in the area as "problematic". "If it doesn't rain within the next two weeks, we will face a crisis. There isn't fodder for the cattle. It's a reality that some farmers are selling."

Van Rensburg says in the northern areas of the Swartland, which include Piketberg, Porterville and the Sandveld, there's an even bigger problem with sowing.

"Some farmers haven't sown at all, because it's too dry. Others have sown, and the wheat has germinated and grown, but they now need rain. If the rain stays away, or if it comes too late, the crops may fail.

The DA has requested a debate in a motion in the provincial parliament about the implications of the drought crisis and what assistance the government will give to farmers.

Gerrit van Rensburg, DA MP, says he knows that "some farmers along the West Coast have moved their cattle to the Southern Cape because of the drought".

- Die Burger