Drought Management Plan.

This Drought Management Plan is a national cross-sectoral policy document. The vision of the DMP is to develop an effective, integrated risk and disaster management system for plant and animal husbandry and price and income systems so as to minimise the impact of droughts.
Drought is a major feature of the climate of Southern Africa and often has a devastating impact. Thus the South African government needs capacity and expertise to respond timely and effectively to drought across various farming communities, especially those with poor resources. Risk management is the core principle of the plan and is aimed at reducing the vulnerability of farming communities. The strategic objectives of the DMP are: setting up a system of information management, and monitoring and evaluating drought situations to detect biophysical and social vulnerabilities and suggest counter action; compiling drought indicator maps so as to provide updated information on, for example, whether drought is emerging or subsiding; compiling regular rangeland/vegetation indicator maps to enable those farming to make pro-active strategic decisions; implementing and improving early warning systems; and establishing and implementing priority programmes for risk reduction, including preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery and rehabilitation. The Drought Management Plan is based on four key performance areas (KPAs), namely institutional arrangements, integrated institutional capacity, disaster risk assessment and reduction planning, and response and recovery. The following enablers are seen to drive drought management: information and communication; education, training, public awareness and research; and funding. the costs of drought-mitigating activities such as public awareness programmes and the development of early warning systems are borne by national, provincial and local authorities as well as the private agricultural sector. The public sector and farming communities should budget for the costs of these activities, whereas national, provincial and local governments should contribute to response efforts and post-recovery and rehabilitation. The Department of Agriculture will carry the following costs: development of plans, the sensitisation of all concerned and the review of plans; dissemination, coordination and implementation of early warning systems and issuing of advisories; Awareness campaigns and education; and Research initiatives.