Ms Modise said the processes to access the R400 million emergency relief grant to assist the 23,346 farmers, who have applied for financial assistance to safe close to one million livestock units across the province, are at an advanced stage.

Relief, she said, will be rolled out soon as the impact of the drought has had a devastating impact on crops, livestock and the livelihood of both subsistence and commercial farmers.

Ms Modise said that R50 million of the emergency relief grant that the province expects to be transferred in the next week will be targeted for rehabilitation of water reticulation infrastructure. It will be used for boreholes and windmills to alleviate water shortage for human consumption currently experienced in Mamusa, Greater Taung, Kagisano-Molopo and Ditsobotla.

Meanwhile, Premier Modise is scheduled to meet with a delegation of the North West Agricultural Sector Unity Forum that represents North West African Farmers Association, Agri-North West, North West African Farmers Union (NAFU) and Transvaal Agriculture Union (TAU)-Western Region on Tuesday.

They will address the concerns of the forum regarding the advertised tender process for the provision and distribution of animal feed.