Bathi isitshixo semvula sikuwe, vala le mvula, sonele ngoku!” (They say you have the key for closing the rain tank; we’ve had enough, close it now), said Victor Mongoato, a grain farmer from Matatiele, on a call to me earlier this week.

 For most agricultural subsectors, we are emerging from one of the best years in South Africa’s agricultural sector, the 2020/21 season.

SA’s agricultural sector has thrived on productivity improvement, which has partially benefited from better breeding techniques over the years.

A drive from Pretoria to the Eastern Cape in December always offers an opportunity to assess the country’s agricultural conditions after the first few months of the summer season.

South Africans will add treats to their Christmas tables if they can, but rising food prices mean many will have to adjust their menus — and there is no sign of a respite next year. 

The year 2021 can be characterized as one of the rarest yet possibly most beneficial for South African farmers.