Question

Impact of droughts on food security in south africa​

Answer 1

South Africa is a country that is particularly vulnerable to droughts. The country's climate is characterized by a high degree of variability, with alternating periods of drought and flooding. This variability is exacerbated by climate change, which is making droughts more frequent and severe.

Droughts have a significant impact on food security in South Africa. They reduce crop yields, which leads to higher food prices. This makes it difficult for low-income households to afford food, and can lead to food insecurity. Droughts also impact livestock production, which can further reduce the availability of food.

In addition to their direct impact on food production, droughts can also have a number of indirect impacts on food security. For example, droughts can lead to water shortages, which can impact irrigation and drinking water supplies. Droughts can also damage infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, which can make it difficult to transport food to market.

The government of South Africa has a number of policies in place to mitigate the impact of droughts on food security. These policies include:

* Investing in irrigation infrastructure

* Providing financial assistance to farmers

* Promoting drought-tolerant crops

* Educating farmers about drought-resistant farming practices

These policies have helped to reduce the impact of droughts on food security in South Africa. However, more needs to be done to ensure that all South Africans have access to safe and affordable food, even in the face of drought.

Answer 2

Droughts have long been a threat to South Africa’s agriculture and food production. Last year’s droughts were the cause of decreased grain, wheat, and fruit production in several parts of the country and the prolonged dry seasons caused farmers to wait longer to plant their crops, or miss the planting season entirely. Southern Africa is suffering through its worst drought in several decades and perhaps a century. Diminished and late rainfall, combined with long-term increases in temperatures, have jeopardized the food security and energy supplies of millions of people in the region, most acutely in Zambia and Zimbabwe. According to a study, drought reduced agricultural productivity in South Africa by 8.4% in 2015. The livestock industry had a 15% drop in national herd stock as a result of the drought.