South Africa will have to import up to two million tonnes of maize this year to feed its population, largely as a result of drought, said Bully Botma, chairperson of Grain South Africa.
South Africans consume five million tonnes of maize a year. Last year the country produced a surplus of 2,2-million tonnes of the grain.
Botma said that, largely in response to dry early summer conditions, farmers had not planted sufficient maize for the nation’s needs. He added that if good rains did not fall soon, farmers would suffer further crop losses.
It is understood that in the context of last year’s surplus, Grain SA encouraged farmers to plant less maize this season as a price-stabilising measure.
“Currently we are expecting a harvest of 2,2 tonnes per hectare,” Botma said. “At that rate, South Africa will have to import almost two million tonnes of maize.”
With good rains before April, the crop per hectare would rise to 2,8 tonnes, reducing required imports to 600 000 tonnes. On this projection, the total harvest would be 7,2-million tonnes.
However, Masiphula Mbongwa, Deputy Director General in the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs, insisted South Africa’s food security was not at risk.
“We do not have the problems of our neighbours during drought,” he said. “In Zimbabwe drought is a national tragedy because they lack the foreign exchange to import. In South Africa we can cope.”
Mbongwa said, however, that drought would send food prices soaring. “Because we are im-porting, prices will go up and our urban poor will be hard hit. That is the big food security worry for us.”
A second problem was that the depletion of irrigation water had a general impact on farming, as less fresh produce reached the markets, driving up prices.
Botma said the plight of grain farmers was not as bad as during the 1992/93 drought, when the country had to import four million tonnes of maize.
The 2,5-million-tonne surplus from last season would also help reduce imports.
After a snap poll, Grain SA has identified the Free State as the area in deepest need. In the eastern Free State only 73% of the planned maize crop was planted, and in the north-western Free State only 68%.
Traditional maize-producing areas such as Hoopstad, Wesselsbron, Hertzogville, Bultfon-tein, Dealesville and Winburg have not had good rains for months. Farmers there said the soil moisture required for planting was low.
Botma said the quality of grazing for farmers was worsening. “Farmers need to truck in food for their herds.”
The agriculture department estimates that between 30 000 and 40 000 head of livestock have died as a result of drought.
In addition, research by farmers’ union Agri NorthWest showed that about 60% of seasonal workers would not be employed this season.
Mbongwa said job security for farm workers was a problem. “The drought will bring lay-offs. Farmers have reduced working capacity by planting less crops or selling off livestock.”
Fanie Niewoudt, chairperson of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation, said cattle and sheep farmers would feel the effect of the drought for at least another two years — even if it ended soon.
“Because farmers have been struggling to feed their animals, they have had to get rid of surplus beasts,” Niewoudt said.
“This has led to a good provision of meat on the market at relatively low prices. But when the drought ends farmers will again concentrate on rebuilding their herds. This might lead to higher prices.”