WANDILE SIHLOBO: All forecasters suggest another dry El Niño spell is on the way
The Western Cape has had hot, dry conditions for the past few months, a cause for concern about the prospects of 2017 winter crop production
In January this year, I visited Malmesbury, a small agricultural town, about 65km north of Cape Town. The town was filled with enthusiasm after local farmers harvested one the largest wheat crops, with yields at roughly 3.8 tonnes a hectare compared to 3.0 tonnes in 2016. Having just survived the recent El Niño spell, typically associated with hot and dry weather conditions, that crippled crops across sub-Saharan Africa, the key challenge for wheat farmers in the region was the import tariff, with many seeking clarity and certainty around this trade policy as it influences the commodity market prices, and not the far-reaching and merciless effects of climate change. However, the west coast of SA, which is well known for its breath-taking mountain ranges, including the highly famed Table Mountain, and its good wines, has been saddled with warm and dry conditions for the past few months, raising fears about the prospects of 2017 winter crop production.The Western Cape province produce...
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