How to blunt the impact.
South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe have recently published reports indicating a potential decline in grain harvest because of intense El Niño-induced dryness. These developments could put the entire Southern Africa maize supply chain at risk, with Zambia and South Africa hard hit by heatwaves and dryness. The neighbouring small producers such as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia are also struggling with dryness.
While the extent of the impact of the heatwave and dryness on crops changes daily, the pattern thus far is clear that the whole Southern Africa region has taken strain and will see a significant reduction in the volume of the crop produced. This is primarily a function of lower expected yields rather than a reduction in the acreage planted, thus reflecting a negative impact of the drier weather conditions and heatwaves. This is an overall production figure, and the decline varies crop by crop. Still, a positive aspect of South Africa is that the expected harvest will still be enough to meet the country’s domestic consumption, leaving some volume for exports, albeit significantly down from the previous seasons.
Zambia under drought stress In late February Zambia’s President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, declared Zambia’s severe drought a national disaster and emergency. There is crop damage in the majority of the summer crop-producing regions of the country because of the El Niño-induced drought. ADVERTISEMENT CONTINUE READING BELOW Worryingly, the government reported that the drought has destroyed nearly 1 million hectares of maize.
It is unclear how much of this volume has thus far already been imported into the country. The volume speaks to the pressures of maize supplies in Southern Africa. Typically, when Zimbabwe needs such large maize imports, South Africa and Zambia are the primary suppliers. With Zambia potentially out of the export market this year, the pressure is now on South Africa to supply Zimbabwe.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Government leaves cannabis farmers high and dry in South AfricaDespite promising a ‘fully fledged cannabis industry’, small cannabis and hemp growing businesses struggle to obtain licenses and secure funding because government can’t get it together.
Read more »
Mbombela warned to fix water crisis as taps in villages run dryVillagers use pit toilet instead of their flush toilet to make the water they buy last longer.
Read more »
El Niño sends Zimbabwe, Zambia shopping for electricity as Kariba Dam runs dryEl Niño sends Zimbabwe, Zambia shopping for electricity as Kariba Dam runs dry
Read more »
How petrol and diesel taxes have shot up in South Africa: 2000 to 2024No fuel levy and RAF hikes for 2024 – but South African motorists have been bled dry by above-inflation increases to these taxes for the last 20 years.
Read more »
City Power's repairs at Eikenhof substation leave taps dry; Johannesburg Water projects days to a week for full recoveryThis week has been a difficult one for numerous Johannesburg residents after their taps went dry on Monday evening following a power outage at Eikenhof substation. This resulted in Rand Water not pumping water, and no alternative supply was available. By Tuesday, City Power said it had completed repairs and provided 100% power to Rand Water. However, the systems are continuing to recover; the complete recovery was projected to take at least a few days to a week. Some suburbs are still experiencing little to no water from their taps.
Read more »
South Sudan: Zero Waste, More Hope in South SudanZero energy light bulbs and sturdy bricks for schools and homes. Some innovative communities in South Sudan are reusing waste in new ways as the world rallies to ban plastic pollution by the year's end, with help from a small team of experts led by climate and environmental scientist Shazneen Cyrus Gazdar at theUN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Read more »