Seasonal outlooks show that South African farmers can expect a midsummer dry spell, despite an expected weak La Niña phenomenon. Southern Africa can still expect a weak La Niña phenomenon this summer. This usually means that most of the summer rainfall regions can expect above average rainfall, says prof. Willem Landman…
There is an increased chance of La Niña conditions developing during the remaining spring months and summer, predictions from the US Climate Prediction Centre show. According to the latest El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) diagnostic discussion issuedView Post by the CPC, predictions show that a La Niña system can form as…
There is an increased chance of La Niña conditions developing during the remaining spring months and summer, predictions from the US Climate Prediction Centre show. According to the latest El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) diagnostic discussion issued by the CPC, predictions show that a La Niña system can form as early…
Information on the involvement of South Africa’s government in crop insurance could be available during the national budget, while insurance for emerging farmers will also be on the agenda. “The government and private insurers are investigating various policy solutions for the development of a crop insurance scheme, which could ease…
According to the latest climate outlook model, chances are slimming that the El Niño will be revived in the next few months. At the middle of July, the ocean temperatures in the tropical part of the Pacific Ocean, indicated El Niño or La Niña in a neutral phase. Ocean temperatures…
After scares of possible El Niño conditions returning in 2017, current outlooks predict neutral conditions for this spring. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology changed its El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) outlook to inactive, with the American Climate Prediction Centre doing the same. “ENSO-neutral is favoured (50 to 55% chance) through the…
Panic struck among farmers this week when rain hit large parts of Zambia. The Meteorological Department, however cautioned against harvesting as this would damage the maize crop. “Farmers must not rush to harvest and heap their maize in fields because of the rain we experienced, as this will result in…
The drier conditions experienced over large parts of southern Africa mean the summer rainfall season is at its end. According to the American weather service – the Climate Prediction Centre (CPC) – an analysis of the cumulative rain over the past thirty days indicates widespread, moderate to large deficits throughout…
Cyclone Dineo has passed, but above average rain is still expected for most of Southern Africa in the next few days. “Heavy rainfall looks like it will be a big story again for the outlook period between 23 February and 1 March. Enhanced rain, possibly more than 100mm is forecast…
The national environmental body, Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) will wage a robust war against illegal charcoal burners as it tightens controls to curb alarming deforestation. But the move is likely to face opposition as charcoal is a major source of energy and income for many Zambians. ZEMA’s Ireen Chipili…
It is expected that economic growth in Zambia will improve in the coming months as drought conditions weaken. After the previous El Niño conditions, Zambians can expect La Niña weather conditions in the next production year. In Zambia, La Niña conditions usually causes normal to above normal rainfall from October…
Farmers in Zambia can look forward to improved rainfall by late November and early December, according to the Climate Service Centre of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). “This signifies good chances of a generally timely rainfall onset, with good potential for crops reaching maturity if the rain perform well…
This article was first published in Business Day. Regardless of interesting climatic and infrastructural developments, policy uncertainty in Zambia remains a key concern, writes Wandile Sihlobo As part of my functions at the Agribusiness Chamber (Agbiz) I recently engaged with agribusiness leaders in the agricultural inputs and insurance industries to…
The first rains have fallen signalling the start of the rainy season and the Zambian Meteorological Department has cautioned farmers, country-wide, to prepare for above average rainfall. In the north-eastern regions average rainfall patterns are forecast for October, November and December but rain is expected to be above average for…
