La Nina

The intensity of heavy downpours has increased by 40% since pre-industrial times, with some areas receiving more than a year’s rain in just days

We do need to focus on the tariffs but we should not ignore other essential interventions for the long-term growth of local agriculture

While the recent rains caused damage to infrastructure and in communities, it does more good than bad in agriculture

Better dam levels and a stable electricity supply for irrigation will continue to benefit the horticulture sub-sector and floriculture

Slightly high prices and lower input costs, as well as the prospect of good rain will probably driving this

The weather event is predicted to bring above-normal rainfall in January before easing up, but the northeast may remain dry

In many locations, especially in the tropics, La Nina produces the opposite climate impacts to El Nino, which heats up the surface of the oceans

With La Niña bringing much-needed rain, it is inexcusable that South Africans do not have access to their most basic human need: water

The rains in December have caused flooding, which has damaged critical infrastructure, including people’s homes

The weather remains topical across the Southern Hemisphere but has resulted in mixed fortunes

Future-proofing schools against the damaging effects of global climate change is essential

Farmers face higher input costs such as hikes in fertilisers and fuel prices as well as the expected 20.5% electricity hike requested by Eskom, says AgriSA

We will have a poorer harvest than the glowing 2020-21 harvest, but will probably not have to import supplies

Unreported locust swarms in unoccupied farms, game and environmental parks can grow, cover large distances and destroy entire crops

Unlocking the full growth potential over the long run will require policy interventions in agriculture and cross-cutting government departments