A hailstorm has severely destroyed crops and vegetables at Mpharane in the Mohale’s Hoek district in the past week. Chairperson of the Thaba-Mokhele community council, Mr. Nkoane Lebakae said the storm destroyed maize, sorghum, beans, vegetables and fruits.

Mpharane farmers in Mohale’s Hoek have appealed for assistance following destruction of crops and vegetables that were destroyed by heavy hailstorm on Sunday and Tuesday last week.

The possibility was that there would be no harvest as the storm destroyed crops at the formative stage, Mr. Lebakae said. The areas that are seriously affected include Ha Phala, Kholoane, Rasebolelo, Soere, Belemane, Mokhothu, Lekhalong, Ts’ese, Tryhoek, Ramahlolanyane and Thabana-Nts’onyana. 

The Mpharane Farmers Association lost four acres of tomatoes, green pepper, green beans and eggplant, according to secretary. Hlomelang Mohale said.

06 February 2006