More than 36 communal farmers that participate in the Thabina Irrigation Scheme, outside Tzaneen in Limpopo, fear losing their income due to the increase in fuel prices. As South Africa continues to experience fuel increases, emerging farmers are concerned that they might not be able to irrigate their crops.
The farmers use petrol generators to pump water from the nearby Batlhabine River. The 230-hectare farm provides an economic lifeline for local communities and serves farmers from over ten villages. It produces cabbage, green beans, spinach and peri peri, that are sold to surrounding communities. With the increase in fuel prices, the farmers say they might be forced to produce fewer crops as they cannot afford the high price of petrol.
Source: sabcnews.com
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