R50 million emergency funding for drought stricken farms in the Western Cape
23 October 2019
On Tuesday, the Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Minister David Maynier, authorised the release of R50 million in emergency drought relief in terms of section 25 of the Public Finance Management Act (Act 6 of 2000). This request was initiated by the Minister of Agriculture, Minister Ivan Meyer, and today, the Western Cape Provincial Cabinet approved the release of the emergency funding to assist farms experiencing severe drought in the Western Cape.
These funds will be allocated specifically to provide two months of fodder support for farmers in the drought stricken Central Karoo District, Matzikamma and Little Karoo areas.
On the impact of the drought to the Western Cape economy, Minister David Maynier, stated: “This drought will be felt for years to come, especially in the rural areas where agriculture is the main generator of the Western Cape economy. The socio-economic impact on farm workers and farming communities would be significant should the agricultural activity in the Western Cape collapse.