AGRICULTURAL NEWS - There was growing concern about the water crisis in the Western Cape as dam levels continued to decline.
The average dam level across the province had dropped to 18,9%, compared with the 26,9% recorded during the corresponding period last year.
According to Anton Bredell, Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the province, the provincial government was primarily concerned about the impact of the drought on the agriculture sector.
“The sector is currently bearing the brunt of the devastating drought,” he said.
Professor Mark New, director of the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) African Climate and Development Initiative, was recently reported as saying that farmers in the Western Cape have had to abandon at least 25% of their high-value vineyards and deciduous fruit orchards as a result of a lack of water for irrigation.
