Last week’s rain showers have been met with mixed emotions by farmers in the area saying that, despite grass appearing greener, the drought has not really been lifted.
Last week’s rain showers have been met with mixed emotions by farmers in the area saying that, despite grass appearing greener, the drought has not really been lifted.
Luyanda Tsana, a stock and chicory farmer at Broughton farm situated 35km away from Grahamstown, said that the drought has affected him badly as he lost 35 Nguni cattle valued at around R176 000 after the storm.
"The dams became muddy because of the lack of water and when the cattle went to drink from them, they got stuck in the mud and died. Calves on the other hand die because of lack of milk and water," said Tsana.
Qondile Bill, a farmer and the public relations officer of the Makana Farmers Association said, "The rain has made a huge difference on our side especially for the stock as everything is turning green. The crops are promising to be alright because the rains arrived at just the right time as it is planting season now for some crops." Contrary to this, Bulele Isaac who is a stock farmer at Koodoovale farm said, "We only recorded 25mm of rain for a day and a half and that is not enough to let anything get green or to even fill the dams.
The cattle are still thin and I am still rotating between different grazing areas." Ntombomzi Ngcani of Perskhoek farm said that the rain was not enough to make a difference and she has lost four cattle because of the drought. Her farm is close to the Fish River but she says it is very dry there and the annual rainfall is never enough. Tsana added that he has made a loss on his chicory crop this year as he could not plant because of the drought. "Chicory has to be planted early in the year, the latest being April and the crop takes nine months to be ready for harvest. We didn’t manage to plant in January this year because 2008 was very dry and we cannot plant now as it is harvesting time for chicory and Chicory SA wants the harvest around November and December." Tsana has bought shares in Chicory SA Limited so he is very worried about the situation.
What all the farmers have in common is the hope for more rain to fall. "If it could rain for at least three weeks or a month, the water problem would be solved and we would be able plant with ease," said Tsana.
Bill agreed, saying he would not mind at least 70mm of rain as this would be enough for their dams to be fill up. Isaac said, "If the rain was operated by tap, I would open it right now and let it rain for a while as we are in dire need of water."
