Afrikaans
Parts of South Africa now seem to be desert lands due to the drought which has affected the agricultural sector of South Africa. In South Africa five of the nine provinces have been declared disaster regions, due to lack of crop growth for this season, which was brought on by El Nino weather.
“SA is the main (grain) supplier to the whole region and now has to import to cover its own needs,” reported Abdolreza Abbassian, a senior grain economist at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. Due to this fact, there is a fear that millions of people will be requiring aid to help them survive this year.
Maize is a key staple food for many, this drought is causing fear due to the decrease in grain produced for 2015-2016 season, in comparison to previous years crop output.
Due to high demand for white maize, it will be imported from various countries to meet the demands. Maize prices have also increased to a record high due to the decrease in production.
Livestock farmers are also feeling the pinch, due to lack of feed for their animals. The lack of maize has now had a ripple effect on livestock indeed of feed.
Read the full article on BDLive.
