South Africa Declares Drought Disaster in No. 1 Corn Province
- Drought has affected livestock, crop farmers in Free State
- Declaration enables legislation to help farmers financially
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The government of South Africa’s biggest corn-growing province declared its drought a disaster, with all municipalities and districts affected.
“Even if it rains now or tomorrow, this drought is not going to be over,” Mafa Mokoaqo, manager of the Free State Agriculture Department’s disaster management risk unit, said by phone Thursday. “The rains are sporadic, they are not going to be enough to resolve the drought issues.” The province produced 44 percent of the nation’s corn in the 2014 season.