Although weekend rain has brought relief to some drought- stricken towns in the Eastern Cape, others have not yet had significant rainfall.

Eastern Cape farming experts said the rain had brought some relief to severely hit farmers in the region.

Oos-Vrystaat Kaap (OVK) Agri Business Chamber vice- chairman Johan Greyling said widespread rain in some areas had changed the mood of many worried farmers.

It has been raining off and on for the past three or four days, so we have a lot to be thankful for. I think it is a good indication that things are taking a turn for the better,” Greyling said.

The mood of the farmers has been quite negative up until now, but things are looking promising and it has made the world of difference.”

Greyling said farmers in the area still had February and March to establish enough winter feeding for cattle and livestock to take them into the winter and a lot can happen in two months.

The OVK has 12 branches in the North Eastern Cape, responsible for supplying input to farmers, providing credit and handling grain.

Adelaide Farmers Association chairman Allan Ballantyne said the area had recovered temporarily with the odd shower or two but the Koonap River was still bone dry.

In Adelaide and Bedford, residents have been surviving on trucked-in water from neighbouring towns.

Ballantyne, a pecan nut and beef farmer in the Adelaide area, said citrus farmers along the banks of the river had very low reserve water stock and cattle farmers should stick to their stocking rates.

He said although there had been recent relief in some areas, he knew that farmers in the Graaff-Reinet, Jansenville and Pearston regions were still not happy.

If there was not sufficient rainfall in these regions soon, Ballantyne said, cattle farmers would feel it only a year down the line.

If your cows are not strong enough they will not conceive when you put the bulls with them over May and June.”

Ballantyne said the department of water affairs should seriously consider developing the Koonap River into a town dam.

It is the only major river source that has never been developed into a town dam and although there was talk in the 1960s, nothing has been done.

It would create employment for many if it went ahead.”