As the agricultural industry takes stock of the effects of the worst drought in two decades — one that brought hardship to farmers and a surge in food prices — certain challenges are presenting fresh concerns."Some farmers won’t qualify for production credit," Omri van Zyl, CEO of Agri SA, one of the largest federations of agricultural organisations, said a week ago.Lending institutions closed agricultural loan books at the end of August and are preparing to roll out a fresh round of funding ahead of the new planting season, which begins in October.The red meat, sugar and grain industries have been severely affected by the drought. And Van Zyl said poor harvests, together with challenges due to drought, have left some farmers deep in debt and unable to qualify for production credit. Of concern are smallholder farmers who may not receive credit extension.At the end of July the agricultural sector submitted a request for financial assistance to government. But Van Zyl declined to elab...
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