Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Risk and Disaster Management

Inputs to the disaster Task Team

 

BACKGROUND

 

The South African Weather Service forecasted less rainfall for 2002/2003 season as early as November 2002. Agricultural Risk and Disaster Management Directorate issued the early warning following the weather forecasts. The Department of Agriculture established the National Agro Meteorological Committee (NAC) which continuously issue the early warning monthly advisories to the Heads of Departments, relevant Directors, Extension Officers and everyone that is in contact with the farming committee. The NAC is constituted by the relevant directorates of the Department of Agriculture, South African Weather Services (SAWS), Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and Provincial Departments of Agriculture (PDAs).  The 2002/2003-summer rainfall season did not perform well and the forecast for 2003/ 2004 summer rainfall season was normal to below normal. Some of the advises to the livestock farmers was to reduce their stock in order to enable the animals to rotate the camps, avoid modalities and overgrazing.  Most of the Provinces that did not receive the sufficient rainfall in the 2002/2003-summer rainfall season are Limpopo and some areas in Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal and Northern Cape.  Veld fires warnings have been sent out with every Agro-meteorological advisory on monthly basis also to the affected Provinces. Veld fires have affected some of the grazing areas and dam levels are deteriorating, these lead to the shortage of fodder and drinking water for livestock. 

 

The Limpopo province was the most affected by drought and assistance was made available since April 2004.  Further assistance was made available in October 2004 to other affected province. The information received during meetings/workshops with  PDAs, is that most of the dryland farmers did not cultivate their fields as they have been told that the forecast is not looking good.  Some of the farmers that did plant their fields are experiencing stunted growth plants whereby they will not be able to be harvested.

 

The Provinces that were affected by drought in the 2002/2003-summer rainfall season are now worsened by the current situation.  Eastern Cape, KZN, North West, Free State and Mpumalanga are now affected by dry conditions but other can still improve pending rainfall conditions in the next three months.

 

The department of agriculture is busy with the Agricultural Risks Insurance Bill which will facilitates the spreading of agricultural production risk beyond the government and agricultural communities through partnering with insurance and reinsurance companies. The insurance will further encourage appropriate Agricultural Management practices. 

 

 

CURRENT CONDITIONS

Figure 1                                                                        Figure 2

 

Figure 3                                                                        Figure 4

 

In November 2003, the western and southern part of the country received below normal rainfall whereas the central area received generally normal rainfall with patches of above normal rainfall.  The central part of the Eastern Cape Province received a patch of normal to above normal rainfall whereas the whole Province remained dry.  In December 2003, the normal to above normal rainfall was received in the Western Cape Province except over the northeastern part of the Province.  The Eastern Cape Province received a normal to above normal rainfall at the coastal areas whereas the inland areas remain dry.  The rest of the country received patches of normal rainfall with above normal rainfall in other areas of North West and Limpopo. The central to the western part of the country received good rain during the first 10 days of January and still continuing to fall.

 

The forecast for the second half of the season is expected to have 40% chance of the rain to be normal and 35% below normal so the current crisis won’t be alleviated unless short-term phenomena not captured by the forecast bring showers.   The forecast for the temperature is likely to be normal to above normal which might evaporate every drop.  The task team of the National Disaster Committee which include the Department of Agriculture is currently visiting the drought stricken provinces to assess the situation with a view to map out assistance.

 

 

Districts that are affected by drought in the Provinces

PROVINCE

DISTRICT

Limpopo

1.         Sekhukhune

2.         Capricon

3.         Bohlabela

4.         Waterberg

5.         Vhembe

6.         Mopani

Mpumalanga

1.         Gert Sibande

2.         Nkangala

3.         Ehlanzeni

Free State

1.         Excelsior

2.         Verkeerdevlei

3.         Winburg

Kwazulu-Natal

1.         Uthukela

2.         Umzinyathi

3.         Amajuba

4.         Zululand

5.         Mkhanyakude

6.         Uthungulu

7.         Matatiele

8.         Greater Kokstad

Eastern Cape

1.         O.R. Tambo

2.         Chris Hani

3.         Ukhahlamba

4.         Alfred Nzo

5.         Amatole

 

 

North west

1.             Kudumane

2.             Vruburg

3.             Ganyesa

4.             Madibeng Esat

5.             Moses Kotane East

6.             Rustenburg/       Kgetleng

7.             Moses Kotane West

8.             Madibeng West

9.             Moretele

10.         Zeerust

11.         Lehurutse

12.   Wolmaranstad

Northern Cape

1.             Calvinia

2.             Williston

3.             Fraserburg

4.             Carnarvon

5.             Kenhardt

6.             Kalahari

Western Cape

1.         Beaufort West

2.         Price Albert

3.         Laingsburg

4.         Touwsriver

5.         Ceres

6.         Swartland

7.         Clanwilliam

8.         Vredendal

 

The agricultural areas especially for plant/crop and animal productions, which are drought prone, need to be identified.

 

Fodder

 

Established and developing Farmers

 

On a monthly basis each farmer who qualifies receives an authority from the PDA to purchase fodder and transport it at predetermine rates for his animals.

 

Total maximum = 30 larger stock units per farmer or 180 small stock units per farmer.

 

The farmers then purchase the fodder and submit the invoice and the invoice for transport to PDA.  PDA will pay 75% of the invoices values. In some areas for specific farmers PDA purchases the fodder and sells it to the farmers at 25% of the costs involved.  These farmers also receive a monthly purchase authority from PDA but they must buy from PDA.

 

Water for lives stock / boreholes

 

The directorate Water Use and Irrigation Development will drill boreholes in provinces in communal areas in conjunction with PDAs but with less 75% of cost for established farmers.

 

 

FUNDS NEEDED

 

Animal Feeds

 

Up to March 2004

Limpopo                                    Available                                               R33.3m + 6m

Western Cape               Available                                               R10m

Northern Cape               Available                                               R68,7

                                                Required up to March 2004         46,0m

                                                Excess                                     (22,7m)

Eastern Cape                                                                            12,7m

Free State                                                                                             10.0m

 

Funds allocated throught DPLG from Cabinet

 

Mpumalanga                                                                              10,0m

North West                                                                                            10.0m

KZN                                                                                                      10,0m

WUID/DWAF                                                                                         20.0m

Additional required                                                                 R50m

 

April to September 2004

Western Cape (up to June 2004)                                                 15m

Northern Cape                                                                           40m

WUID/DWARF  - drilling                                                             20m

Eastern Cape                                                                            25m

Mpumalanga                                                                              30m

North West                                                                                            20m

KZN                                                                                                      30m

Limpopo                                                                                                30m

Free State                                                                                             10m

Total                                                                                                   R220m

 

These figures are subject to the monitoring of conditions and review in March 2004.

 

Further interventions to be regarded for medium and long term include asset recovery by means of preservation of breeding stock, infusion of small-scale livestock, distribution of starter packs (seeds, fertilizers and etc), improving food and water security, raising awareness and building capacity at community level and the developing farmers as well as the introduction of new agricultural technologies to mitigate the impact of droughts in future.

 

DoA further coordinates IFSNP in collaboration with other departments i.e. DSD, DoH and DoE the implementation of social safety nets and food emergencies. Special attention to developing farmers whom lost their food production capacities where necessary enrolling into the Agricultural Starter Pack Scheme to rehabilitate such activities. 

 

Medium to long term intervention also include Strategic Research Programme dealing with:

a)   Biofortified fodder to provide the stock with the necessary supplemental dietary elements during drought periods.

b)   Super vaccine to boost animal immune systems in order for the animals to cope with common diseases.

c)   Development of drought resistant crop varieties with the characteristics of fast growing, multi-season adaptability and that require less input.

 

 

There will be financial implications to address all programs above. The detailed inputs will be included during the March 2004 review.

 

The good rains that can be received by the drought stricken provinces may further reduce the necessity for further additional funds or the livestock being fed dying.  The availability of fodder will also be a risk factor.

 

The PDAs will continuously forward their progress reports to the department of Agriculture on monthly basis. The drought conditions reviewed in February or March 2004. The ARDM together with other members of the Task Team (WUID, Livestock, LUSM and FSRD) to visit the provinces again before the drought review meeting. The relevant directorate will be invited to work on the agricultural drought recovery strategy. The implementation of the Agricultural Risks Insurance Bill will be the major tool for Agricultural Risk Management plans.