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fend for their families. In an interview yesterday, the farm labourers-cum-gold panners said panning provided constant revenue streams compared to working on the farms.
“Gold panning has provided a lifeline for us and our families because the money we are getting from working on the farms is not enough to meet our needs. Sometimes we go for months without being paid leaving our children hungry,” said one worker.
On a good day, one can make up to said US$30 which is almost what one gets per month working as a farm labourer. However, the activities of the gold panners have left gullies as environmental degradation takes its toll.  Farmers interviewed said it was difficult to maintain a permanent workforce throughout the year as their activities were seasonal .