The key players in South Africa’s agricultural sector have complained over the low amount of sunshine needed for crop production.
The Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, Wandile Sihlobo, mentioned that, “we need more sunshine right now; it’s what we need at the moment.”
The experts further stated that the dams dug a few years ago that were almost running empty are now filled. They highlighted that too much rain makes no grain, and the industry players look skyward for a sunny reprieve.
The current condition has, however been considered a national disaster. The experts revealed that the high amount of rainfall has led to the loss of life and destruction of property and infrastructure.
The Seasonal Climate Watch disclosed that, “The anticipated above-normal rainfall during spring was likely to have minimal impact on water resources over the summer rainfall regions in the country.”
The farmers, however, fear that the rains may cause loss of nutrients caused by leaching. There is also the fear of direct physical damage, restricted growth of crops, and oxygen deficiency.
According to some media reports in South Africa, impact assessments are already conducted by provincial disaster management centres and the department of agriculture to examine and determine the extent of the damage being suffered by farmers, crop growers and investors in the country.
Reports have indicated that some crop producers in some districts have experienced 100 per cent crop losses. In a statement, Agri SA, an agricultural industry in South Africa, pointed out that the effect of crop losses is a significant loss to the affected farmers since crops cannot be replanted.
“Record-high input costs such as fertilizer and fuel are other losses farmers also experienced by the torrential rains,” Agri SA further added.
The industry players, the farmers and the Government of South Africa are worried due to the substantial benefits the agricultural sector adds to the country’s economy. According to some reports, the sector accounts for only 2.5 per cent of South Africa’s gross domestic product. Still, the importance it contributes to the country, such as job creation, ensuring food security, generating more foreign earnings, and other significant factors, cannot be underestimated by the country.
South Africa is hovered hoping for a better season where there will be enough sunshine to support the growth of plants in the country.
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