Cold Weather Results in Limpopo Farmers Losing Crops

Cold weather sees Limpopo farmers losing crops before harvest time.

(The Post News)- A lot of farmers in Limpopo have been affected by the black frost which came with lower temperatures this week, resulting in financial losses.

A severe cold front that hit the areas around the Soutpansberg Mountains on Sunday has caused significant damage to crops, leaving farmers to assess their losses.

The extreme weather conditions have affected thousands of hectares of farmland, resulting in substantial damage to crops.

The cold front’s impact on agriculture in the region is severe, and farmers are now dealing with the aftermath.

Tshianeo Mathide, a prominent potato farmer from Vivo, near Polokwane, has been cultivating his 950-hectare farm in Limpopo’s Bushveld region for many years.

Despite the area’s typically warm and semi-arid climate, temperatures in Vivo unexpectedly plummeted to -4°C from Sunday morning to Wednesday.

Mathide suffered a big loss of 17 hectares of his potato crop.

The potatoes were under two weeks away from being harvested when the plants dried up and were destroyed.

“the loss is estimated at R3.5 million in profit,” he said.

“The black frost has ruined both of my fields, totalling 17.5 hectares, making it impossible to harvest them. This is a devastating blow, considering the cost of producing one hectare is around R200,000, which I cannot afford to lose,” said Mathide.

The prolonged black frost event in Limpopo, which lasted for three consecutive days, had a devastating effect on the production of essential crops like tomatoes, potatoes, and various vegetables.

This adverse weather condition will have far-reaching consequences for consumers, leading to a significant impact on the future availability and production of these vital vegetables.

Benny Van Zyl, representing the Transvaal Agricultural Union of South Africa, has sounded a warning that the recent disaster may lead to a significant increase in food prices, as the agricultural sector grapples with the aftermath of the black frost.

The farming community is currently facing numerous challenges in maintaining its production levels, and urgent plans need to be put in place to ensure a sustainable future for the next production cycle.

The severity of the situation necessitates prompt action to mitigate the effects of the black frost and secure the future of vegetable production in the region.

New Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen has assured that his department is working tirelessly to address and mitigate the impact of natural disasters like wildfires and black frost, which have been affecting the agricultural sector.