The recent drought in South Africa has taken its toll on everyone in South Africa but the people who face the reality of the drought first-hand are the farmers of our country. Volvo Trucks could not simply sit back knowing the direct effects that the devastating drought would have for farmers throughout South Africa.
Through Boere In Nood, a non-profit organisation that aims to assist farmers now more than ever, Volvo Trucks pioneered the delivery of feed to 1 232 farmers throughout South Africa. The journey of ‘Die Lady, Boertjie and Boytjie,’ spanned over 443 557 kilometres and saw over 12 000 bales of hay weighing 3 456 tonnes delivered to farmers that were affected by the drought.
The facilitation of the deliveries to the farmers was done though Boere In Nood, a non- profit organisation established in 2015 to deal with the crisis faced by farmers.
“Volvo Trucks realised that while the drought is taking its toll on a lot of communities, the people that feel the harshest impact of the drought are often our customers – farmers. To this end, we investigated various ways in which Volvo Trucks Southern Africa would not only be able to assist the drought stricken farmers but also see first-hand the impact of the assistance given to the farmers,” says Valentia Hobbs, general manager, Marketing and Communication.
Volvo Trucks not only offered the three trucks but also provided drivers and diesel to the vehicles that would travel around South Africa.
“We’re proud of our association and the impact we have been able to make through this collaboration with Boere In Nood. The work may be far from over but it is a privilege to have been able to make a real difference to the people affected, as well as the animals whose lives were saved from the deliveries of the feed,” says Hobbs.
Facts about the Volvo Trucks ‘Boere In Nood’ project:
- The project cost Volvo Trucks over R3-million
- Total number of farmers helped: 1 232
- Total amount of feed transported: 3 465 tonnes
- Total amount of kilometres travelled per truck: Boertjie (name of Volvo Truck): 116 037km; Boytjie (name of Volvo Truck): 160 457km; Lady (name of Volvo Truck): 167 063km
