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CANDYCE KRISHNA.
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Drought!
The lack of rain could be disastrous for the South Coast. JUDI DAVIS
Week 2 - 9 September 2010
SOME R500-million could be lost to the South Coast’s economy this year because of the effects of the drought on Umzimkulu cane farms.
The SA Cane Growers’ Association had come up with this frightening figure as a rough estimate, said its executive director David Wayne.
Every year, the Umzimkulu Sugar Mill processed between 1.3-million and 1.4-million tonnes of cane. The current projection for this year was a mere 883 000 tonnes, he said.
The financial implications of the drought on farming could be even more devastating considering the negative impact the economic downturn is having on the local tourist industry. Agriculture and tourism are the cornerstones of the South Coast’s economy.
Ugu District Municipality was also concerned about the prevailing drought conditions that were already having a negative impact on water resources, said spokesman Lindani Mzotho.
The district had applied for drought relief funding through the Province, he said.
Local cane growers are already comparing this year’s dearth of rain to the disastrous drought that struck the coast in 1992 and 1993 and was followed by a good few years of under-average rains.
Rainfall was reasonably good at the beginning of last summer but there has been very little rain on the South Coast and its inland areas since January.
The first four months of the year are critical ones for the cane growing industry as this is the growing period for cane. Rainfall during these months has been up to 60 percent less than normal in some areas.
Inland growers only cut cane every second year so, even with good rains soon, the early 2010 lack of rain will adversely affect tonnage next year.
The SA Cane Growers’ Association had come up with this frightening figure as a rough estimate, said its executive director David Wayne.
Every year, the Umzimkulu Sugar Mill processed between 1.3-million and 1.4-million tonnes of cane. The current projection for this year was a mere 883 000 tonnes, he said.
The financial implications of the drought on farming could be even more devastating considering the negative impact the economic downturn is having on the local tourist industry. Agriculture and tourism are the cornerstones of the South Coast’s economy.
Ugu District Municipality was also concerned about the prevailing drought conditions that were already having a negative impact on water resources, said spokesman Lindani Mzotho.
The district had applied for drought relief funding through the Province, he said.
Local cane growers are already comparing this year’s dearth of rain to the disastrous drought that struck the coast in 1992 and 1993 and was followed by a good few years of under-average rains.
Rainfall was reasonably good at the beginning of last summer but there has been very little rain on the South Coast and its inland areas since January.
The first four months of the year are critical ones for the cane growing industry as this is the growing period for cane. Rainfall during these months has been up to 60 percent less than normal in some areas.
Inland growers only cut cane every second year so, even with good rains soon, the early 2010 lack of rain will adversely affect tonnage next year.
Read the rest of the story in the latest edition of The South Coast Herald
Dress for laughs: Norita Vella (left) and Cheri-Ann Lockwood urge everyone to support Casual Day this Friday, September 3 by wearing something funny, fancy or utterly ridiculous. The theme is ‘dress for laughs’ and stickers can be bought from Absa Bank, Game, Jet, Edgars, Boardmans and CNA for only R10. Proceeds are donated to people with disabilities. PHOTO BY CANDYCE KRISHNA
