The cold that is currently being experienced has also left a trail of devastation to farmers across the Limpopo Province since the weekend.
Black frost hit most of the province on Sunday morning, and many farmers suffered severe damage as a result.
The chairman of TLU SA’s North Region, Mr. Henk van de Graaf, says that feedback from members and other farmers indicates that tremendous losses have been suffered and that food shortages can be experienced from the province.
“Reports of severe black frost have been received from the Vivo area, the area behind the Soutpansberg mountain, Levubu, Marble Hall, Arabie and even Warmbath/Bela-Bela, and numerous other areas have also been affected. We are still busy with a complete survey,” says Mr. van de Graaf. Some of the crops that are severely affected by this are potatoes, tomatoes and many other types of vegetables. Damage to infrastructure such as water pipes was also reported.
“Particularly potato farmers are currently very vulnerable after they also suffered severe damage in previous seasons and are still trying to recover from it. We are therefore appealing to financial institutions to show understanding for these farmers who have now again suffered great damage,” says Mr. van de Graaf.
“We also want to appeal to all producers in the province to report their damage to TLU SA’s various DAU offices, or to the Regional Manager, Mr. Danie Prins, so that a complete survey of the damage can be made. We would like to know where the damage was suffered, with which crops, the number of hectares involved and if possible, an estimate of the financial losses as a result, so that we can submit this to the provincial and national governments.
“Furthermore, we want to invite the provincial MEC of Agriculture, Ms. Grace Kekana, as well as the national Minister of Agriculture, Mr. John Steenhuisen, to visit the affected areas together with TLU SA North to familiarize themselves with the damage, to provide possible assistance.”
Information about the damage can be passed on to TLU SA North’s regional manager, Mr. Danie Prins, by WhatsApp on 072 904 7070, or by email at danie@4sf.co.za.
