South Africa required R91 million to assist farmers in KwaZulu-Natal who were affected by the recent floods that extensively damaged crops, infrastructure, including bridges.
According to the SA Farmers Development Association (SAFDA) preliminary report, farmers lost crops, livestock, soil swept away, farmhouses and workers’ accommodation.
The association said R49m would be required for replanting crops and R42m for repairing infrastructure.
“This report shows a number of growers affected as information keeps coming all day and every day,” SAFDA said.
It added most farmers had experienced waterlogging, which affected the crops and the leaching of inputs such as fertiliser and chemicals while some growers lost their entire yields due soil erosion, and they would have to replant.
“To date we have recorded 1 537.4 hectares (ha) of cane and cash crops having been eroded. At an estimated cost of R32 000 to replant per hectare, this totals R49 196 800 as we have confirmed that almost all affected fields need to be replanted,” SAFDA said.
It said the most affected were small-scale farmers who depended on crops for cash and consumption.
“This means such farmers lost not only their business but their household food source.”
“This poses a serious threat which will last beyond the rain season. When the rain is over mills will open and farmers will be expected to deliver their cane produce for crushing. This will not be possible before the collapsed farm bridges and roads are repaired.”
“The intervention required in this, and other similar instances is to assist with rebuilding farmhouses and farm workers’ quarters.”
Farmers in irrigated areas have also experienced severe damage to irrigation such as pipes and pumps.
“To confirm the extent of the damage the services of engineers and technicians will be required.”
