MEC Kontsiwe Visits Flood-Damaged Farms in Kouga-Koukamma, Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe visited farms in the Kouga-Koukamma area after severe flooding caused widespread destruction. The visit took place yesterday as part of a government response to assess the level of agricultural damage on the ground. Farmers in the region have been struggling after heavy rains triggered flooding across several rural communities. The MEC engaged with affected farmers and local stakeholders to understand the full impact of the disaster. The situation has raised concern about the stability of agricultural production in the area.

The floods caused significant damage across multiple parts of the farming system. Roads leading to farms were washed away or severely damaged, making access difficult for both workers and emergency teams. Water infrastructure was also affected, with pipelines and irrigation systems reported to be broken or blocked. Large sections of cultivated land were submerged, leaving crops damaged or completely destroyed in some areas. Farming operations have been disrupted, forcing some farmers to halt production activities. Rural livelihoods have also been affected, with many households depending on agriculture for income and food security now facing uncertainty.

During the visit, MEC Kontsiwe assessed the affected sites and received reports from technical teams and agricultural officials. The department is expected to work with disaster management structures to coordinate immediate support for the most affected farmers. Efforts will focus on restoring access roads, repairing essential infrastructure, and supporting recovery of damaged farmland. Engineers and agricultural specialists are likely to be deployed to evaluate long-term rehabilitation needs. Farmers have been encouraged to report further damage so that assistance can be properly directed. The response aims to stabilize operations and prevent further losses in the agricultural sector.

The flooding has highlighted the vulnerability of rural farming areas to extreme weather conditions. Recovery efforts will require coordinated planning between government, local authorities, and farming communities. Restoring production capacity will be critical to maintaining food supply and protecting jobs in the region. The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture is expected to continue monitoring the situation as rehabilitation work progresses. For many farmers in Kouga-Koukamma, rebuilding will take time and sustained support. The visit by MEC Kontsiwe marks the start of a structured response to help the area recover and restore agricultural activity.