For the third year running South Africa is being plagued by severe droughts, affecting the budgets of farmers, already stretched by the very strong rand. The currency has regained about 60% of its value over the last three years, making many calculations obsolete and costs higher than investments. Many are considering abandoning their farms, putting the future of the country’s agriculture into question.
According to the South African Weather Services, the national rainfall in the past four months has been 75% lower than normal. In April the country’s National Department of Water Affairs and Forestry declared the two-year drought period to be over but the intensity of February and March rainfalls, which relieved the maize farmers, has not continued into the year. The problem is escalated further by the fact that dry seasons have not been preceded by wet weather.
There has always been a need for water in the region but the droughts of recent years have been particularly severe and attributed to more serious changes in climate. South Africa is currently included on the list of countries affected by water scarcity in the basin that also extends through Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The Challenge Programme on Water and Food (CPWF) is one of many international efforts to reduce one the greatest problems affecting Africa.
Groundwater levels remain low across South Africa and water restrictions have been introduced in Western Cape. South Africans are also reminded to try to prevent water wastage from leaking and dripping taps.
