Drought hits hard
2005-03-31
ONE of the fruit producing areas of the Western Cape suffering the most as a result of the drought is the Berg River area, as well as the Olifants River region, Ceres, Tulbagh, Wolseley, Hex River and Villiersdorp.
Although the impact on the Elgin-Grabouw area is not as severe, production levels are not normal, says Daan Louw, Director: Optimal Agricultural Business Systems (OABS).
“Fruit can not be exported if it does not meet top quality standards, and to meet these standards it needs optimal irrigation.
“This year has been dry, but the previous two years fruit producers also had to cope with restricted water provisions, resulting in poor fruit quality and impacting on exports.”
Unfortunately it is not only the 2 500 deciduous fruit producers that suffer the consequences. It is also their 100 000 farm workers and 400 000 dependants on the farm, of which the seasonal workers suffer the most because when allocating jobs, the farmer will first use his permanent employees.
Other jobs in the value chain that are affected are fruit packers, transport and harbour workers.
* The founding meeting of the Western Cape Agricultural Business Association will take place on Friday 16 September.
The aim of the association will be to represent agricultural businesses as well as co-ordinate communication between agri-businesses and other role-players, including local and provincial government. The Association will be non-profit.
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