While the drought has plagued the northern regions of South Africa, the effects are slowly being felt by Western Cape farmers, too. In the beginning of the month, EWN released a video interview showcasing a couple of farmers from the Swartland area who explained how the onset of the drought – the worst since 1982 – was slowly destroying their crops. The farmers also requested that the government assist.

And now, the Western Cape province is asking the national government to classify the region’s water shortages as a disaster so that the farmers may apply for financial aid. The province’s representatives had this to say:

Our assessments of the provincial water situation found more than one region or district municipality in the province is experiencing very dry and water-stressed conditions. This led to the request to the provincial cabinet for a disaster classification.

Part of the request will be for funding to be made available for relief in the province, whose Disaster Management Centre is updating its preparation plans in case the situation worsens.

Farmers who haven’t adopted conservation agriculture are reporting a possible 50 percent decline in yields.

The areas that are being affected the most are the West coast and the Central Karoo and rural economies in the regions will need a long period of time to recover from the drought. The Western Cape is the bulk of the country’s wheat and wine grape producers and the below-normal rain prediction for the next four months is worrying.

[source: iol]