Following the conclusion of the first drought mitigation dialogue this month, North West Department of Rural, Environmental and Agricultural Development will compile a report based on the presentations and the engagements of the day for North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo, which may lead to him declaring a state of disaster in the province.

"This report will be sent to National Treasury to seek relief through the Emergency Relief Grant,” noted North West Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development MEC Manketsi Tlhape, adding that it was important for the dialogue to take place so that the views of the agriculture sector were taken into consideration.

Further to the dialogue, the department would also undertake a drought relief assessment process. Tlhape encouraged farmers to participate in the process as it was expected to assist the department in determining how drought had affected farmers and, therefore, would “really need relief”.

Mahumapelo said at the recently held dialogue at Potchefstroom College of Agriculture, in the North West, that government was ready to engage with all stakeholders to mitigate farming risks, particularly drought.

He emphasised the need to engage as a way of overcoming the challenge of drought, adding that the time was right for stakeholders to find innovative ways to deal with drought.

Themed ‘Learning to live with drought and its variability: taking agriculture forward in Bokone Bophirima’, the dialogue was aimed at sharing knowledge and taking stock of implemented drought projects to have a clear understanding of the concept and lessons to be learned.

The dialogue was also meant to establish current and ongoing drought rehabilitation and mitigation, policy development and research programme initiatives, including their effectiveness, impact and challenges in view of a provincial policy framework and to further strengthen and expand a provincial network.

The impact of climate change has led to the western part of the country experiencing dry conditions, affecting the North West province and leading to frequent drought in recent years.

An evaluation done by the department had also revealed that the province was facing poor conditions in both crop and livestock commodities and that this was owing to sporadic rainfall accompanied by several heat waves, as experienced this year.

Speaking to the farmers, Tlhape encouraged them to work with the department in tackling the challenges they faced. "If we are to deal with the current challenges in farming, then we would need to work together," she emphasised.

When delivering his keynote address, Mahumapelo said it was important that all key role players worked together to mitigate drought.

Key to the process was the involvement of the private sector and, particularly, support of farmers by insurance companies, he commented, noting that “we get insured” in the event of unforeseen circumstances. “But when these circumstances happen, we see some of these [insurance] companies withdrawing from [their] responsibility," the Premier added.

As a result, he stressed the need for dialogue between insurance companies and those they have ensured, which could boost the level of confidence in investors.

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Deputy Minister General Bheki Cele, who was also present at the dialogue, said the event would assist the province in developing specific solutions and intervention strategies to deal with drought, on a short-, medium- to long-term basis.

He urged for the youth to be brought closer to government initiatives, adding that young people had an interest and, therefore, needed to be supported.