The realities of the drought being experienced by farmers in Bultfontein in the Free State mirror those of farmers in many other parts of the country. Sabrina Dean explores the ripple effect of the disaster and its socio-economic consequences in small towns and communities.
By mid-December, the optimal planting window for maize in Bultfontein in the Free State was coming to a close. However, the farmers here weren’t readying their soils for planting. Instead, they had gathered in a shed, waiting to receive their share of R3 million worth of sunflower seed sourced by the Bultfontein Awareness Committee (BAC) and donated by seed company Pioneer.
“Where in your life have you seen so many farmers standing around doing nothing at this time of year?” one voice among the small crowd asked.
The rain might not have arrived in time for these farmers to plant maize, but there was still some time left in the season to get a sunflower crop in the ground.
YEARS OF STRUGGLE
Some of the farmers say they have experienced seven consecutive ‘abnormal’ grain production years. Even in years when they received enough rain to manage good production, low prices meant they could not service carry-over debt. Several have had to put their farms on the market.
Coenie Fourie, one of the driving forces behind the BAC, and his sons, Stefan and Willie, are also under severe strain and in desperate need of a good season. Fourie has a shed full of groundnut seed that he could not plant this season due to drought.
But, he says, the pile of sunflower seed donated by Pioneer represents hope for farmers who would otherwise not have had any chance of putting a crop in the ground this season. Because of their inability to repay production losses still owed on what proved to be poor or failed crops, many of these farmers no longer qualify for production financing.
Otto Conradie, one of the farmers who received a share of the BAC sunflower seed, says his mixed farming operation has not experienced a normal production year in six years. On his 514ha farm, Driedorings, he points to a flock of 40 ewes and lambs, all that remain of the 400 sheep he had some years ago.
Esta historia es de la edición Farmers Weekly 15 March 2019 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición Farmers Weekly 15 March 2019 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
