Agri Hour
Concerns over lower maize yields in North West─── CHRISTAL-LIZE MULLER 05:45 Wed, 17 Jul 2019
There is a great concern about maize yields in North West after it was recently pointed out by farmers in areas that have recently harvested in the province, that lower than expected yields are a reality.
Wandile Sihlobo, the chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber, Agbiz, says farmers in areas around Lichtenburg report maize yields of about 2.2 tonnes per hectare, compared to expectations of the average yield of 3.4 tonnes per hectare across the province. Here is Sihlobo…
He says while it is still early to make a pronouncement on the province’s maize fortunes, it seems that if yields would average at levels lower than the Crop Estimates Committee’s 3.4 tonnes per hectare for North West, the country’s overall maize expectations of 10.9 million tonnes would have to be lowered somewhat. This would largely be on white maize, which is predominantly produced in North West. The province is a key contributor to South Africa’s maize production, accounting for an average of 15% to the country’s maize.
That was Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber, Agbiz.
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