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South Africa's agriculture grapples with climate change

South Africa's Mpumalanga province experienced severe weather conditions during the holiday season, significantly impacting its agricultural sector. The region received unusually high rainfall in December, averaging 350mm, a drastic increase from the previous season and the decade's average. The South African Weather Service reported severe thunderstorms that caused localized flooding, engulfing roads, settlements, and bridges.

Despite the harsh weather, Malcolm Deacon of Gold Tree Farms protected his kiwi crop from hail damage using hail netting. However, continuous rains disrupted crop protection spraying schedules for many farmers, raising concerns of future crop losses, especially for citrus, macadamia, and avocado. The persistent rain provided a conducive environment for fungi growth, noted by Werner van Niekerk of AgriStar Macadamias.

In response to these challenges, AgriStar used helicopters for spraying to ensure timely coverage. The litchi harvest in the Nelspruit and Malelane areas was delayed but ultimately successful. Conversely, grain farmers in the Highveld region struggled with inconsistent rainfall, with some areas receiving insufficient amounts, potentially damaging crops. Despite this, the overall outlook for the grain harvest remains positive, with fields currently lush with maize and soybeans.

Farmers now hope for more rain to complete the summer, amidst worries about potential dry weather due to the El Nino phenomenon. This situation highlights the impact of climate change on food security and agriculture, including the decrease in crop yields due to extreme weather events. The potential for severe climate risks to influence future food security and nutrition is evident, necessitating adaptation strategies to mitigate these challenges.

Source: bnnbreaking.com

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