IDC Agro-Processing & Agriculture Presentation to focus on: Background to the drought IDC interventions Forecasts Drought in South Africa 8 March 2016
INTRODUCTION Provinces of Free State, North West, Kwa-Zulu /Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng, Northern Cape are under severe drought stress; Many farmers have to date received only about 60% of their annual rainfall; Last year’s maize crop at 9,8m tons, which is down from 14,3m tons in 2013/14; Major El Nino phenomenon – bringing drought conditions Food price effect could be astronomical – food protests a risk? Maize production during the 2015 season is just under 70% of the previous season’s, Prices are over 60% higher than 2014 Though the impact may be felt immediately in food availability and price, The more concerning impact is on future planting – as they may not be adequate seed supplies for planting
South African Agricultural Regions Only 2 of SA’s provinces have not been affected by the drought, Western Cape and Eastern Cape and these regions primarily produce Vegetables, Fruit and Some beef in the Eastern Cape
IDC INTERVENTIONS
IDC INTERVENTION – PREVIOUS FACILITIES (2011, 2012) To date, the IDC has provided the following disaster relief facilities which has saved a considerable amount of jobs in total: Landbank (R100 million) – 1 582 jobs saved (including seasonal jobs) GWK Ltd (R150 million) – 2 500 jobs saved (including seasonal jobs) Gledhow (R22 million) – 2 300 jobs saved (including seasonal jobs) The above facilities have been fully drawn, and the account status is considered good. Previous IDC interventions provided relief funding of over R270 million, saving over 6 000 jobs
IDC INTERVENTION – RECENT FACILITY The IDC has approved a facility for R400 million Anticipate support to 437 clients; 2 185 jobs to be saved The facility will assist farmers to respond positively to the drought For companies involved in primary agriculture Emergency working capital to prevent further losses to current farming operations Carry over debt Repairs to and replacement of existing infrastructure resulting from other natural disasters Utilised as a guarantee to commercial banks Conditions Minimum 50% to primary agriculture suppliers to agro-processors Minimum 50% to BEE farmers Report on support to women, youth disabled The current facility was done through the Landbank Based on the clients that are already on the Landbank books made available to us, 437 clients will benefit from the facility It is envisaged that over 2 000 jobs will be saved The conditions for the facility are that a minimum of 50% should go to black farmers, We will track women and youth who are supported In order to support the agricultural value chain and thus sustainability of the agro-processing industry, at least 50% should be earmarked for suppliers to agro-processors
Envisaged support – per province The support to the various provinces is as indicated, and the crops that are likely to be supported through the facility are: 1. Free State: Summer grains, Oilseeds, Livestock- Cattle, sheep; poultry 2. KZN Maize and oilseeds Sugarcane Livestock : cattle-beef, dairy 3. Limpopo Subtropical fruits as well as citrus, forestry Vegetables - tomatoes, potatoes: most of these are reliant on irrigation, and will be expensive to produce Livestock - Cattle, goats and game 4. Mpumalanga Summer grains, Oilseeds Sugarcane, horticultural crops, forestry Poultry, livestock-cattle 5. Northwest Summer grains, oilseeds Livestock - cattle, small stock, game Poultry
IMPACT OF FACILITY Provision for bad debts will be made given the high risk profile of the transaction. Main end beneficiaries Sugar cane Livestock Maize farming from 5 declared provinces Because of the conditions under which the facility is being provided, of distress, it is expected that there will be a high level of bad debts
OTHER IDC INITIATIVES Discussions with the private sector for additional support entered into A member of the Drought Task Team, an initiative spearheaded by Agri SA
IMPACT - IMPORTS Southern Africa is assessing its food security situation Preliminary indications that the region is experiencing a drought Stocks available Predictions are that we would have to import white maize by September 2016 from countries such as Mexico and the US. Yellow maize will be coming from Argentina, Brazil and the countries in the Black Sea The main issue will be the price The importing of maize will hit consumers the hardest National Agricultural Marketing Council forecasting family spending to increase by at least 25%. If we end up importing 5 to 6 million tons of maize at R4 500, the assumption is that if you look at the normal food basket that a family consumes. That basket will increase by 25%. For a household of four, currently spending R240 for the basket, that will most probably increase to R350 per month.
REGIONAL IMPACT and strategies
FORECASTS The 19th Southern African Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-19), predicted that the region is expected to receive insufficient rainfall during the forthcoming agricultural season that runs from October 2015 to March 2016. This climate outlook for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is not a favourable one as the region is coming from a recent challenging situation which it has not fully recovered from The El Niño effect has been associated with previous drought periods in Southern Africa. The phenomenon causes the sea temperature to rise significantly in the Pacific Ocean off South America, and the air becomes dry, affecting the rain-formation process. As this drought ends, there is a high risk of the incidence of the reverse of El Nino, the El Nina effect, which will especially affect the Mozambican channel
LONG TERM STRATEGIES With the impending extreme weather conditions, the SADC region should prepare for such natural phenomena. For example, farmers could plant crops that do not take long to mature, and the region should invest more with infrastructure development, including roads, irrigation and silos. Improving the transport network and storage facilities will allow agricultural produce to be moved smoothly from one place with surplus to another needing additional food. We should invest more in irrigation, conserve dam water, and plant short season varieties. Most economies in SADC are largely dependent on climate conditions, and any reduction or increase in rainfall often has a negative effect on socio-economic development. Planning for severe climactic events is necessary to improve sustainability The region is highly dependent on the natural climate for agriculture and food production. The most important strategies to be able to withstand any of the vagaries is in infrastructure – This would be in infrastructure – such as dams and irrigation and storage Infrastructure to support livestock And in business models of agro-processors. An example of how drought can provide opportunities for some, is in an agro-processor who has had growth in their business, And is able to bide his time as the drought takes root – Supplies feed Sources stock for his feedlot cheaply and will sell into a scarce market Processes and innovation that include water efficient irrigation Innovation that includes crops that are drought resistant
CROSS BORDER ACTIVITY The Zimbabwe Power Company, said water levels in Lake Kariba have dropped to 41 percent compared with 80 percent this time last year. With expected low rainfall, it is likely to take longer for water levels to be at optimal. As a result, the Zambezi River Authority, which manages the dam on behalf of Zambia and Zimbabwe, has reduced water allocation for power generation at the dam by Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) and Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA). The power utility noted that there is to be a reduction in power generation at Kariba Power Station from 750MW to 475MW until dam levels have risen to requisite levels. Another related effect of the drought, which has a significant effect that goes beyond just food is in electricity generation. In Zambia and Zimbabwe Kariba Power Station is set to reduce electricity generation capacity from 750MW to 475MW
CONCLUSION There is no indication of relief of the current drought conditions; The below normal rain is expected to continue for the rest of the summer; Almost the entire country has a high likelihood for warmer than normal temperatures; Short periods of showers will occur, but is not expected to bring any drought relief