14 March 2024
The drought devastating many farmers’ grain yields this year is on everyone’s lips at Grain SA’s 2024 congress at Nampopark outside Bothaville.
A motion for disaster relief for grain farmers in dire straits was tabled at Grain SA’s congress on Wednesday.
Will Grobler, a representative for region five, which includes Sannieshof, proposed the motion. It was supported by Ramoso Pholo, regional representative for the areas around Mafikeng and Lichtenburg.
Pholo says many farmers in his region, especially new farmers, couldn’t even plant this year. “The prepared land lies idle.”
He says this dry season follows two difficult seasons during which heavy rains and floods occurred.
Watch Pholo’s plea below.
Many farmers at the congress say they are very concerned and some see no hope for their harvest. Harvesting machines have been seen in parts of the Free State, meaning some farmers are cutting their crops for livestock feed, among other things.
Jaco Minnaar, a farmer from Hennenman and a former chairperson of Grain SA, says he last had rain on January 12. Although his harvest is not yet lost, he can see it deteriorating. “Rain now will counteract the decline.”
State aid
Tobias Doyer, the CEO of Grain SA, said during a media session at the congress that the organisation is in discussions with various stakeholders on how farmers can be assisted.
Grain SA issued a statement during the congress urgently appealing to the government for support and assistance. “Immediate action is needed to provide financial assistance through an agricultural disaster fund, access to affordable credit solutions, and affordable income insurance that will enable farmers to withstand the crisis and sustain their livelihoods,” it said.
Land Bank: ‘Hold us accountable’
Thabi Nkosi, chairperson of the Land Bank, told congress delegates during a brief speech that the Land Bank will assist its clients wherever possible. Even though everyone knows what the recent survey by the national crop estimates committee says, she said, something must be done about the drought.
“We can’t wait. We have seen the impact of the drought first-hand on the ground. We cannot turn our back on the grain industry. Please give us your input and ask us questions. Take our numbers and call my colleagues and me. Hold us accountable for the services we must deliver.”
