Aberdeen farmers have been particularly hard-hit by the drought that has gripped the Eastern Cape and with no drought-relief forthcoming from the government, the outlook was growing ever bleaker.
Small farmers in Aberdeen have received much-needed drought-relief from the government to sustain them. However, despite the call the from Minister Nkwinti, Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform to ensure protection of food security in our country, not one Aberdeen commercial farmer has been provided with drought-relief by the government.
Dougie Stern of Agri East Cape took up the cause on behalf of the farmers and through Nicole Jansen of Agri Northern Cape and Hannes de Wet of the Stroom-Op Farmers' Association, a steady influx of lucerne, tef and maize has made its way to Aberdeen to feed our farmers' livestock.
To date, four consignments of feed have been delivered from the Northern Cape farmers with Mr John Jellinek of Jamestown providing transport, Mr Goël Le Roux providing trailers and Mr Pieter van der Walt driving the vast distances to deliver the precious cargo.
Small farmers in Aberdeen have received much-needed drought-relief from the government to sustain them. However, despite the call the from Minister Nkwinti, Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform to ensure protection of food security in our country, not one Aberdeen commercial farmer has been provided with drought-relief by the government.
Dougie Stern of Agri East Cape took up the cause on behalf of the farmers and through Nicole Jansen of Agri Northern Cape and Hannes de Wet of the Stroom-Op Farmers' Association, a steady influx of lucerne, tef and maize has made its way to Aberdeen to feed our farmers' livestock.
To date, four consignments of feed have been delivered from the Northern Cape farmers with Mr John Jellinek of Jamestown providing transport, Mr Goël Le Roux providing trailers and Mr Pieter van der Walt driving the vast distances to deliver the precious cargo.
The first two consignments, from Swempoort and Stroom-Op Farmers' Associations, was donated by Abraham van Vyl, Klein Frans Wiid, Riaan Wiid, Henk van Niekerk and Herman Wiid and was a mixture of lucerne, tef and maize.
The third consignment consisting of lucerne, was donated predominantly by Freek and Hannelie van Rensburg from their Petrusville farming operation.
The fourth consignment, organized by Deon Graupner and donated by Japie van der Berg consisted of maize from Bothaville in the Free State.
The third consignment consisting of lucerne, was donated predominantly by Freek and Hannelie van Rensburg from their Petrusville farming operation.
The fourth consignment, organized by Deon Graupner and donated by Japie van der Berg consisted of maize from Bothaville in the Free State.
The donations are handled through the Aberdeen Farmers' Association (AFA) and the feed is divided up to cater for every commercial farmer to receive a portion thereof, including Marlon de Jager, SA National Emerging Farmer for 2007.
Chairperson of the AFA, Lötter van Niekerk and Deputy-Chair, Hantie Marx wish to express their sincerest thanks for the generosity of the commercial farmers in these areas. The provision of feed has gone some way to alleviating the hardships our local farmers have encountered as a result of the drought, but this will only provide temporary relief. More needs to be done by our government to support the commercial farmers in our area, who provide employment and food security to our region.
Chairperson of the AFA, Lötter van Niekerk and Deputy-Chair, Hantie Marx wish to express their sincerest thanks for the generosity of the commercial farmers in these areas. The provision of feed has gone some way to alleviating the hardships our local farmers have encountered as a result of the drought, but this will only provide temporary relief. More needs to be done by our government to support the commercial farmers in our area, who provide employment and food security to our region.
Article From: The Advertiser 8 March 2010