Agriculture Dept assessing El-Nino-induced drought severity and its impact

Source: EWN Traffic
Author: Lauren Isaacs

CAPE TOWN - The Department of Agriculture said it's assessing the severity of the El Nino-induced drought and the impact it's had on crop-yields and farmers' financial statuses.

The recent Crop Estimates Committee showed that South Africa's 2023/24 summer grains and oilseed production could fall by 21% year-on-year to 15.2 million tonnes.

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The department said that while this would be sufficient to meet domestic needs, neighbouring countries might suffer.

Department spokesperson Reggie Ngcobo said there were also emerging feed challenges among livestock farmers.

"The minister will soon meet with leaders of organised agriculture, relevant departments and MECs from all provinces to assess the scale of the full impact in various regions. This insight will help refine the government's response approach to the drought."