Farmers urged to plan to mitigate hot summer ahead
Summer has always been a pivotal season for farmers, but with the rising intensity of heatwaves due to climate change, its impact on agriculture is becoming even more pronounced.
Prolonged high temperatures can wreak havoc on crops, especially if they occur during critical growth stages.
Dr Peter Johnston, a climate scientist at the University of Cape Town, spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about the balance between crops and heat.
“Grain can withstand some high temperatures, even as high as 36°C, but only for a limited time,” he said.
The real threat comes when heatwaves persist for 10 to 14 days, especially if they hit crops at vulnerable growth stages. Such events can devastate entire fields. Some crops like sunflowers, are less susceptible.
Johnston also mentioned that different regions in South Africa faced varying degrees of risk. “The drier areas of the western part of the maize regions, in North West and the Free State, are most susceptible,” he said. He warned that marginal areas, already barely suitable for farming, may become completely unviable due to rising temperatures and increased heatwave frequency.
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