THE Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform continues to send drought relief to farmers across the province.

In the past week, Lucerne, hay, molasses and yellow maize were delivered to various districts as part of the R74-million drought relief funds allocated by the Department.

Three local municipalities in the OR Tambo District, namely Mhlontlo, King Sabata Dalindyebo and Ingquza Hill local municipalities have benefited so far. As from December last year the Mhlontlo Local Municipality has so far received a total of 57,5 tons of yellow maize which translates to 1 150 40kg bags. On Saturday (January 11), 50 bales of hay grass were distributed and another 50 bales on Tuesday last week. The feed was shared by farmers in both Qumbu and Tsolo towns.

Farmers in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality received five tons of yellow maize as a supplementary feed for their livestock while Nyandeni Local Municipality received 10 tons of yellow maize. Distribution is currently underway.

On Saturday last week, the OR Tambo District also distributed 20 tons of Lucerne and five tons of maize to farmers. This week more feed will be disseminated to the Mhlontlo local municipality.

A total of 10 266 farmers from the six local municipalities under the Chris Hani District are set to benefit from the intervention by the Department.

The Emalahleni Local Municipality has received 10 tons of Lucerne (400 bales) and 12 tons of 40kg bags of yellow maize (300 bags). At least 90 farmers from Ward 17 and 4 who were severely hit by the disaster have received relief. Distribution of feed is underway.

The Department has procured 18.24 tons of Lucerne for the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality area and the farmers have come to collect except those from Whittlesea due to transport constraints. The distribution of 94 tons of yellow maize bags is in progress.

Affected farmers in Instika Yethu and Ngcobo local municipalities have received 14 tons of yellow maize -10 for Intsika Yethu and four for Engcobo.

The Sakhisizwe Local Municipality area has received 38 tons of Lucerne and 5 tons of yellow maize which will be shared by the affected farmers.

Farmers in Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality received and shared 67.68 tons of Lucerne and 25 tons of yellow maize.

A total of 287 farmers in the Sarah Bartmaan District have been given a break from the drought grip. These farmers are from areas within the Blue Crane Route, Dr Beyers Naude, Kouga, Kou-Kamma Ndlambe and Makana local municipalities.

On Wednesday last week eight farmers in the Blue Crane Route Local Municipality shared 8.3 tons of pallets of Lucerne and10.1 tons of yellow maize. In the Kouga Local Municipality 64 farmers shared three tons of yellow maize and 29.98 tons of Lucerne and three tons of mollasses while in the Makana Local Municipality 1.55 tons of pallets of Lucerne and 1.45 tons of yellow maize were distributed to alleviate the severity of drought to 59 farmers. In Ndlambe Local Municipality 1.0 ton of pallets of Lucerne, 1.75 tons of yellow maize and 1.13 tons of Lucerne have been distributed to 71 farmers.

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