AFGRI makes R5 mln donation towards drought relief for farmers
AFGRI said on Thursday that it was making funds available to assist emerging livestock farmers in drought-stricken areas.
The agricultural services and processing company said it was donating R5 million to subsidise selected animal feed products.
Chris Venter, the CEO of AFGRI, said the situation had become increasingly dire with farmers struggling to keep their animals alive due to the lack of roughage for grazing.
“The country will have virtually no roughage left by the end of the winter if the rains don’t continue,” said Venter.
As much as R20bn could be needed to see SA farmers through what has been decribed by experts as the worst drought since 1992.
Agri SA executive director Omri van Zyl recently said the situation was so dire intervention was necessary. He aslo called for donations to establish a drought relief fund.
AFGRI said the assistance it was offering was over and above the subsidised animal feed products the company has been distributing since towards the end of 2015.
“The helping hand has been extended to existing farmers as well as the small-scale farmers that form part of AFGRI’s training and mentorship programme,” said Venter.
“Given our nine decade history in the agricultural sector, we understand how challenging the environment is. We want to stand by our farmers and try to help as much as we can, so that we can ensure their ongoing success.