The provincial departments of agriculture have made funding requests to the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) through their Provincial Disaster Management Centres (PDMC) requesting assistance in the form of rehabilitation and construction of water resources in farms hardly hit by drought. The provincial requests are made through normal drought disaster declaration and classification processes.
In addition to the normal disaster funding applications, the department is furthermore implementing the Prevention and Mitigation of Disaster Risks projects which is aimed at risk reduction that addresses mitigation and prevention measures. These projects considers the drilling and equipping of boreholes in provinces, especially those in dire need as a result of dry conditions or drought. To date, boreholes have been drilled and equipped in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State and North West Provinces.
In mitigating the impact of dry conditions that culminate to water shortage and drought on farmers, the department has further developed coping strategies of various natural hazards. To date, coping strategies for drought have been developed and published into all official languages to be understood by all. These strategies were issued to farmers and officials. Farmers are constantly encouraged to adapt to the changing conditions, that is, to consider suitable farming operations and implement good farming practices as conditions are also aggravated by poor practices.
Furthermore, roving seminars on weather and climate are continually being conducted in all the provinces. The main objective of these seminars is to make farmers more self-reliant by helping them become better informed about effective weather and climate risk management for the sustainable use of natural resources for agricultural production.
2. This is the mandate of the Department of Water and Sanitation.
3. This s the mandate of the Department of Water and Sanitation.