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Cattle farmers need aid to fight drought

no rain: Cattle are dying in Limpopo as a result of drought devastating the area. Pic. CHESTER MAKANA. 24/11/2009. © Sowetan. TEARFUL:Albert Mushadu a cow owner of Mapakoni vilage keep an eye to one of his remaining cow as it fails to stand up while birth calls. PHOTO:CHESTER MAKANA
no rain: Cattle are dying in Limpopo as a result of drought devastating the area. Pic. CHESTER MAKANA. 24/11/2009. © Sowetan. TEARFUL:Albert Mushadu a cow owner of Mapakoni vilage keep an eye to one of his remaining cow as it fails to stand up while birth calls. PHOTO:CHESTER MAKANA

THE Department of Agriculture in Limpopo has appealed to the National Treasury for a cash boost in response to the severe drought crippling farmers in the province.

Many farmers have lost hundreds of livestock due to the drought which causes hypothermia, a condition that dehydrates the livestock.

The department said the money would be used to buy lucerne for the livestock.

Most of the farmers, many of whom are pensioners, are now forced to use their grants to finance their costly farming needs.

Department of Agriculture spokesperson Thembi Mavhuvele said the department has requested an additional R38million from the Treasury.

"This financial year the department has already spent R5million to assist veld fire and drought-affected farmers and we are currently supplying livestock feed at subsidised prices to assist the farmers."

Farmers have also appealed for the government to compensate them with their lost livestock.

"I am now left with two cows and the other one is failing to move. We tried for days to help it stand.

"I hope if it survives it will help me because it is expecting a calf," said Samson Mushadu, a cattle owner in Mapakoni.

Presently, it appears as if there is no government plan to compensate communal farmers with livestock.

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