Recent weather conditions in South Africa have had a significant impact on grain producers with challenges piling up. The Crops Estimates Committee (CEC) has also recently revised the summer crop production estimate down by 13,48% year-on-year to 17,4 million tons.
According to Grain SA, the recent weather conditions that prevailed in the winter grain production regions and current conditions in the summer grain production regions have had a significant economic impact on grain producers.
The winter grain production season faced several challenges with excessive rain in certain areas resulting in losses in yields and placing financial pressure on producers in affected areas.
According to Tobias Doyer, Grain SA CEO, in stark contrast to the winter grain production regions, the summer grain production regions are currently experiencing major challenges with drought conditions.
“The extreme heat and dry conditions caused the harvest to deteriorate much faster than initially expected. We have seen large areas where the damage is already irreversible. [Even] irrigated maize is experiencing challenges due to load-shedding, as well as the heat conditions,” said Doyer.
He added that these challenges came at a time when the margins on crops such as maize were already low due to larger international supplies and global price pressures.
“This makes the recovery period of individual producers very difficult in challenging production conditions. impact of the drought and market conditions on grain producers. International competitors enjoy the benefits of subsidised, affordable comprehensive insurance, providing them with a competitive advantage. Similar local systems could have substantially supported South African producers, given the challenging production conditions.”
This story is from the 22 March 2024 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 22 March 2024 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Africa goes from net carbon sink to source
New research shows Africa's impact on greenhouse gases and the need to focus on climate-smart agriculture
Ireland potato farmers unable to complete planting
Irish potato farmers have reported a delay in harvest and said that the UK might have to prepare for shortages of the produce. The shortfall is due to extreme wet weather during their planting season.
Zero-residue fresh produce a reality
Retail giants are calling for caution when using biologicals and chemical pesticides,
Big boost for mohair producers in Eastern Cape
A collaboration between the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and the Mohair Empowerment Trust (MET) has resulted in a R1,4 million injection into four emerging Angora goat farming operations in the Eastern Cape.
KZN Youth Show at Roval Agricultural Exhibition
The KZN Youth Show will run from Friday, 24 May to Sunday, 26 May at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg.
Hemp permits and irrigation system handed over
In an effort to fast-track the entry of rural farmers into the cannabis and hemp industries, KwaZuluNatal Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Super Zuma, visited the Shukasibheme Project in Mbazwana, a co-operative in Mseleni, uMhlabuyalingana in the Umkhanyakude District, to hand over cannabis and hemp permits as well as a borehole and irrigation system.
Meet some of the heroes behind avitourism destinations
Exploring what the Garden Route offers birdwatchers, Brian Berkman discovers some special people who run hospitable places to meet and see a variety of species.
What the Citrus Academy offers aspiring producers
Cobus du Plessis takes a look at the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa's Citrus Academy and how it is helping to develop aspiring farmers in the sector.
Natural-born killers of the insect world
The Myrmeleontidae family of lacewings from the Neuroptera order of insects consists of about 2 000 species of which 125 are found in South Africa.
Seeder kick-starts vegetation in challenging environments
Dr George Craven of Noorspoort, Steytlerville, in the south-eastern Karoo, is successfully using a home-built 'bedstead seeder' to re-establish veld plants in an arid area, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.