As we start the new year, there is probably no issue more urgent for South Africa's agriculture sector and agribusinesses than the worsening energy crisis.
Farmers who rely on irrigation have all expressed concern that persistent rolling blackouts are having a negative effect on production.
In key field crops, about 20% of maize, 15% of soya bean, 34% of sugar cane, and nearly half of wheat are produced under irrigation.
Fruit and vegetables, too, rely heavily on irrigation and are therefore in much the same position. Producers of red meat, poultry, pork, wool and dairy are also concerned that rolling blackouts beyond Stage 2 make operations and planning difficult, as these industries all require continuous power for day-to-day functioning.
Agribusinesses involved in downstream processing, such as millers, bakeries, abattoirs, wine processors and animal vaccine producers, face similar challenges.
EXPORT CONCERNS
Export agribusinesses, especially those with products highly sensitive to delays, such as fruit, red meat and wine, are also worried about operations at the country's ports, which fortunately have not been severely affected.
The financial impact of rolling blackouts is difficult to quantify at this stage. However, concerns have been expressed about food security, with the effect of rolling blackouts likely to be evident in the volume of products produced or harvested in the coming months.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Farmer's Weekly 3 February 2023 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Farmer's Weekly 3 February 2023 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Optimising nutrient availability for cattle
Nutrient circularity in cattle farming can help improve soil health and reduce farming costs. Ernest Makua, livestock technical adviser at Red Meat Industry Services, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about practical strategies for farmers to achieve sustainability and profitability in the industry.
Canola: a growing force in South Africa's agricultural landscape
Zander Spammer, an agricultural resource manager at Southern Oil, spoke to Zunel van Eeden about the growth of the canola industry in South Africa and the main uses for this versatile crop.
Uncertainty over Trump's stance on AGOA
It is of vital importance that that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) be upheld following the recent US presidential election, in which Donald Trump emerged as the winner.
Plum pollen study reveals varietal differences in pollination effectiveness
A new study undertaken near George, Western Cape, explored pollination in plum varieties, showing key differences in pollen quality. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports on the research findings.
Study: small cuts to beef production could eliminate years of emissions
In a paper published in early November, scientists reveal that pasturelands, in particular those that were once forests, hold great potential for mitigating the effects of climate change.
Harnessing wind for cleaner energy
At the Windaba Conference and Exhibition, held in October in Cape Town, Western Cape, Niveshen Govender, CEO of the South African Wind Energy Association, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the state of wind energy in the country and the opportunities that farmers can exploit.
The Cape Grace: a Cape Town icon is reborn, and her new custodians shine
Brian Berkman has had the exceedingly good fortune of spending many nights at the Cape Grace Hotel over the years. He revisits it to find it as impressive as ever.
Cutting-edge tech aiding the agri sector
Toyota Material Handling's innovations conserve resources and reduce the environmental footprint of farming operations.
Use the correct growing medium for safe seedling production
Instead of buying expensive growing mediums for seedlings, farmers can make their own mixtures from local resources, such as manure, which are economical and produce excellent results
Optimising cherry production and quality
Growing cherries in a suboptimal climate requires manipulating trees and temperatures. But with a considerable market advantage, it is worth the effort. Lindi Botha visited ZZ2's Toscana farm, which for four weeks of the year takes prime position in the cherry market.
