Planting time for South African commercial summer crops, like maize and sunflower, in the largest parts of the summer production areas is quickly running out, and there is need for good rains within the next two to three weeks, farmer representative body Grain
South Africa (GSA) said on Tuesday.
The supply of sufficient staple food, especially white maize, is in the balance, and South African government will have to immediately make plans to avoid an impending crisis, GSA said.
GSA has requested an urgent meeting with South African president, Thabo Mbeki, to inform him of the consequences of the current production conditions.
In addition, GSA said it was disappointed by the move to implement minimum wages for farm workers by the Ministry of Labour.
“Grain farmers will not be in a financial position to retain all their workers and will result in retrenchments,” the organisation added. – I-Net Bridge