TLU SA Limpopo welcomes the announcement that Limpopo is one of the provinces declared a disaster area following the recent floods.
“After TLU SA Limpopo’s efforts since last year to have the province declared a disaster area following the devastating black frost in July, the equally destructive fires shortly thereafter, and the crippling drought that persisted until mid-December, it has finally happened,” says Fanie Havinga, chairperson of TLU SA Limpopo. “Despite discussions with relevant government institutions, nothing further came of it, and farmers had to try to survive on their own.”
“We truly hope that this time there will be genuine support for commercial farmers, as we have experienced in the past that commercial farmers are blatantly overlooked whenever any form of assistance is on the table.
“Likewise, we appeal to financial institutions to show compassion towards commercial farmers who have endured three disasters within a single year, and to assist them to survive for the sake of food security in the province and the country.
“If commercial farmers are once again ignored and left to their own fate, President Donald Trump’s offer from America could become a tempting option for many farmers, with devastating consequences for the country,” Havinga concludes.
