MEC MANOPOLE ASSURED FARMERS THAT THERE IS NO LACK OF VACCINES IN THE PROVINCE, DURING THE LAUNCH OF THE MAIZE PLANTING SEASON.
07 December 2022.
The Northern Cape MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Ms. Mase Manopole has assured farmers in the Province that there is enough vaccine for animals to quell the spread of any animal disease outbreak.
She was speaking at the launch of the provincial maize planting season in one of the farms in Pampierstad, owned by a female farmer.
The Department has donated R1.5 million to five emerging farmers in the district, to plant 60 hectares of yellow maize, which upon harvest, will be stored in the Provincial Government's fodder banks, to be distributed to farmers who are in distress due to natural disasters.
The process of collaborating with emerging farmers started in Keimoes, in the ZF Mgcawu district early this year with the planting of 120 hectares of lucern, when the Department collaborated with the National African Farmers Association.
The MEC assured farmers in the Province, that they should not panic due to several reports that are purporting that the Province has ran out of animal vaccines.
"Due to persistent rains which might lead to outbreaks of diseases such as the African horse, bluetongue, lumpy skin, African red water, Asian red water, tick-borne gall, heartwater and the rift valley fever, there has been a general concern that the Northern Cape might run out of availability of vaccine for the coming vaccination season, " she said.
"I would like to assure our stakeholders that we have been in contact with the animal vaccine supplier, Onderstepoort Biological Products, and they have assured us that we will have enough vaccine available, to ensure that outbreaks of diseases are prevented in the Province. There is no need for us to panic now. I further call on our farmers to vaccinate their animals immediately before the outbreaks start."
MEC Manopole further emphasized that pet owners should take time to read and understand Environmental Management Act, which gives guidelines on responsible ownership of animals.
"We appeal to people not to bring exotic pets into the province. This contributes to the causes of unwanted animal diseases when people no longer want these animals, they release them into the wild. This is how unwanted animal diseases can spread and that can catastrophically harm our extremely sensitive biomes."
Meanwhile, the MEC said the planting season this year, has in certain parts of the Province, been welcomed by good rains, which the Province have been experiencing for the past few weeks.
"I am well aware that, in as much as the rain has brought much relief to most of our farmers in the Province, there are farmers who are living on the bank of the lower Vaal and Orange river system who have lost their infrastructure and livestock through the destruction brought by floods."
"Our teams are on the ground, at this point we are monitoring the situation. We receive daily updates from the Department of Water and Sanitation in terms of the river levels and flow to determine the risk. There are few areas affected and so far one self-built Levee that broke. It is too early to do any assessments. As we always caution, proper assessments can only be done after the water recedes."
According to the Government's Crop Estimate Committee, the country's 2022/23 maize area plantings will be at 2,6 million hectares, which is well above the 10-year average of 2,5 million hectares.
In the whole country, the yield estimate is forecast at 5,7 tonnes per hectare because of anticipated favourable weather conditions. This means that there is a chance that the maize harvest could be at 14,8 million tonnes, which would be slightly above the 2021/22 season harvest of 14,7 million tonnes.
"In the Northern Cape, we are expected to contribute 44 000 hectares of maize plantings area with an estimated harvest of 708 000 tons of maize. So, our gathering here at Mme Mercy Itumeleng's farm, is another step to reach the national crop estimation target. The Department has donated R1.5 million to the Saamtrek, Saamwerk farmers organisation, in order for them to plant 60 hectares of yellow maize for our fodder banks."
The Department has four fodder banks in the Province, which assist with the provision of fodder to farmers who are affected by natural disasters such as veld fires, drought and floods among others.
Saamtrek, was tasked to use the money to identify farmers in their organization who have water rights and are prepared to take up the challenge of planting yellow maize for livestock.
Five qualifying members (3 males and 2 females) of the organization including Ma-Itumeleng, will be participating in the project.
"I am happy that we have women representation, which is what I have been advocating for, remove the barriers to transformation and full participation of women in the sector," MEC Manopole said.
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For media enquiries contact Zandisile Luphahla, Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson to the MEC, on 083 391 5388.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS, RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM.