R5.9bn lost to drought in Western Cape alone
WWF SA’s latest Water File, released at a WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Agricultural Producers’ Day near Robertson, said it was estimated that an economic loss of R5.9billion in agriculture in the Western Cape alone, with a resultant 30 000 job losses and exports dropping 13% to 20%, had resulted from the disaster.
This was due to reduced farming outputs and additional income losses as export volumes declined.
Many hectares of productive fruit trees and vineyards had been removed before the normal replanting schedule due to the lack of available water, as well as to prevent disease and pests from spreading. Stock farmers had also suffered heavy losses. As a result, many agricultural businesses risked bankruptcy.
In some areas, including the Little Karoo, farmers were still battling the drought that started in early 2015, and the agricultural sector remained particularly vulnerable to water risks and a changing climate.
Dam levels in Cape Town stand at 55.7%.This time last year, levels were only at 26%.
According to the City’s water dashboard, water use has gone up by 3.1% in the last week, at a daily average of 494ML. This, however, is still not reaching the City’s target of 450ML.
“Climate scientists predict that the Western Cape will become drier and experience moderate-to-strong warming over the next 100 years. By 2050, the rainfall in the Western Cape will probably have decreased by about 30% from current levels.
According to WWF, farmers will have to get innovative in order to produce more with less, especially when it comes to freshwater availability. Precision farming is becoming increasingly important.