To illustrate the impact of frequent high levels (stage 4-6) of load-shedding, consider the following example. Irrigated summer crops in the Northern Cape are reliant on sufficient irrigation during months that are often associated with high temperatures/heat waves. Average maize yields for this area amount to around 17 tons per hectare. During January, a persistent heat wave lasting two weeks coincided with a high incidence of stage 4-6
load-shedding. If the high temperatures apparent during this time prevailed, experts noted that a yield reduction above 50% would have been realistic. Rain during February however provided some relief and industry stakeholders estimate that the yield loss due to inadequate irrigation is around 20% for this region.
Northern Cape irrigation grain producers faced yield losses of up to 50% due to load shedding
during weeks with high tempratures
53
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator