Farmers Sound Alarm Over Weather Chaos Threatening Crops, Livestock and Food Prices

Unpredictable weather continues to take a toll on South African agriculture, with farmers and sustainability experts warning of growing risks to food production, livestock, and national food security.

Heavy rains, strong winds and hailstorms have lashed parts of the country well into autumn, flooding low-lying areas and damaging crops and infrastructure in regions including KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, the Northern Cape and the North West.

Shakti Satyapal, managing director of Roadway Farms and director of Sustainability Truthing, said the erratic weather is deeply concerning.

“Instead of the expected dry El Niño conditions, we’re seeing excessive rainfall,” he said. “These shifts are highly unusual and speak to the intensifying impacts of climate change.”

Livestock health and crop yields under pressure

According to Satyapal, livestock are also vulnerable as fluctuating temperatures interfere with access to feed and water, and reduce animal health. These disruptions, coupled with crop losses, are reducing output, tightening supplies, and driving up food prices.

“This is already raising the cost of living and deepening food insecurity,” he said. “Farmers are under enormous strain, and input costs are also increasing. If this continues, the ripple effects could be severe.”

Climate-smart farming offers a way forward

To reduce the impact of climate shocks, Roadway Farms has embraced climate-smart farming strategies, including crop diversification, weather-resistant seed varieties, and regenerative techniques such as mulching, cover cropping, and conservation tillage.

“These methods help retain soil moisture, prevent erosion, and improve long-term resilience,” said Satyapal. “We need to protect both the land and the livelihoods of farmers — and the communities that depend on them.”

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Sourced:The Witness

Picture: Rodale Institute