Pretoria - Northern Cape farmers are counting their losses as heavy floods continue to wreak havoc across the country.
According to authorities, more than 24 000 farmers around Upington, Kakamas and Keimoes were without work due to loss of production as a result of the overflow of the Orange River.
Salamuddi Abram, who was acting chairperson for the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries during a visit to the area, said the damage included the erosion of vineyards and livestock, leaving more than 24 000 farm workers of commercial and developing farmers without work as there was no production.
"Developing farmers are the worst victims of the floods, and as a result, some are unable to continue repaying loans to the banks, such as the Land Bank and other financial institutions that support farmers," said Abram.
The floods have left many parts of the Northern Cape disaster areas since the beginning of December.
The committee has now asked the Northern Cape Provincial Department of Agriculture to submit a comprehensive report about the damage caused by floods.
Earlier on Monday, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tina Joemat-Peterson briefed the committee on, among other things, the strategies the department has in place to assist the flood victims.
An assistance plan will be finalized before the end of the week, she said.
