Farmers warned of R270 000 grant scam

Cape Town - Drought affected farmers are being urged to be alert of a scammer promising them a grant of R270 000 from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).

The scammer allegedly tells farmers to pay him R20 000 in return for getting cash grant for drought relief from DAFF, it said in a statement on Tuesday.

"DAFF would therefore like to bring to the attention of the drought affected farmers that are assisted through the Provincial Departments of Agriculture, that, assistance is done through the appointing of the service provider by the province to distribute animal feed."

It noted that it is the responsibility of the farmers to collect the assistance relief goods such as animal feed from the various depots at local agricultural offices.

DAFF added in terms of own contribution, farmers are allowed to group themselves and procure diesel/petrol to collect the animal feed from the various depots.

"Farmers are therefore warned to stay alert and never pay money to any individual promising them assistance. The department would never make farmers pay for drought relief grants."

South Africa last year recorded its lowest rainfall levels since records began in 1904, cutting output of crops such as grains, wine grapes and peanuts and parching grazing land used for livestock.