Small scale farmers hit hardest by floods

"Some are unable to continue repaying loans to the banks such as the Land Bank and other financial institutions that support farmers," chairman of the portfolio committee on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, Salamuddi Abram, said. In a statement issued following the committee's visit to the Northern Cape province on Sunday, Abram said overflow of the Orange River had caused more damage than the rain.

"The damage includes the erosion of vineyards and livestock leaving more than 24,000 farm workers of commercial and developing farmers without work as there is no production," said Abram. The committee has asked the Northern Cape agriculture department to submit a report about the damage caused by floods, while the ministry of agriculture works on an assistance plan.