Counting the cost of drought

The drought is expected to
result in a 29% decrease in
South Africa’s summer crops
compared to last year.
Agriculture minister Senzeni
Zokwana said that South
Africa had now declared five of
its nine provinces as drought
disaster areas for agriculture.
He commented that one of
the driest seasons on record
had severely affected the
country’s 2014-2015 harvest,
especially summer crops such
as maize, sunflowers, soya
beans and sorghum.
Last year’s maize output was
about 14.3 million tonnes. This
year it is expected to shrink
to 9.8 million tonnes, a 31%
decrease, Zokwana said.
INSERT
29% The estimated decrease in this
year’s summer crops.