Crucial rain needed to save Mpumalanga grain crops

While Mpumalanga escaped the disastrous December weather seen in previous years, the dwindling rainfall is causing concern among grain farmers, as crucial follow-up rain is required.

Robert Davel, general manager of Mpumalanga Agriculture, that the whole province desperately needed rain. “By mid-December, we had [received] good rain, but then it stopped. Every time there has been big rain predictions, it hasn’t materialised. Fortunately grain farmers received sufficient rain after planting maize and soya [bean], but if they don’t get rain within the next few weeks, it could be catastrophic.”