Farmers warn of crisis as heat stress threatens crops and livestock
As little as 60% of available land was planted this season and those crops are being threatened by heat stress, Grain SA warns
Farmers are warning of a brewing crisis as persistent dryness and hot weather threaten crops and livestock just three years after the country grappled with the worst drought on record. As little as 60% of available land was planted this season and those crops are being threatened by heat stress, lobby group Grain SA says. The country will need to import yellow maize and there is a possibility it will have shortages of the staple white variety despite a large carry-over stock from last season, CEO Jannie de Villiers said. “If we don’t get rains … in some of the areas, most of those plants will die,” he said. “This will put SA in a very tight situation.” Farmers still have not recovered from the 2015-16 season, De Villiers said. Maize production that year was hurt by the worst drought since records began more than a century ago. The Agricultural Business Chamber is in talks with the government, banks and businesses about support for the sector, the group said on Friday. A December sur...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.