This year rainfall was only 83,3mm. The warm weather and lack of rain means that fruit trees and vines are not getting their much-needed winter rest. Farm workers report that many trees have not yet shed their leaves, as they should have done in autumn, Opperman said. But the very best anyone can hope for at the moment is 60 percent of the usual crop. The Western Cape hasn't been declared a disaster area yet, but we're not far from it.
Agriculture is one of the biggest income earners and job providers in the Western Cape.
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