This was revealed by Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister, Senzeni Zokwana, as he tabled his department’s more than R6,3 billion budget on Thursday afternoon.

Zokwana says the drought, coupled with global economic volatility, which saw the Rand decline by almost 40%, has wreaked havoc on food prices. Expectations are that we will need to import 4,3 million tons between 1 May 2016 and 31 April next year, comprising 2,4 million tons of yellow and 1,9-million tons of white maize.

Zokwana also told Parliament the gross agriculture sector shrank by 12,5% in the third quarter of 2015 but that this has been buffered by other positive signs. These include job creation and increased numbers of smallholder farmers.

“During the third quarter of 2015, the number of smallholders increased by 743 and the agro-processing sales grew by 8,4%. Comparatively, jobs in the sector increased by 211 000 in the third quarter of 2015.”

He adds that the value of South Africa’s agriculture, forestry and fisheries exports increased from R135 billion in 2014 to R144 billion in 2015.

Meanwhile calls during the debate by opposition party MP’s for the drought to be declared a national disaster were reportedly rebuffed.

Sabrina Dean/OFM News