Insights into Crop production potential

Amid ongoing reports of El Niño conditions potentially impacting crop yields in South Africa’s summer rainfall region, the expected production of the major grain crops such as Maize, Soybeans, and Sunflower remains uncertain for the current season.

Climatic conditions play a crucial role in crop production as demonstrated by the impact observed in the preceding three seasons with above-average rainfall due to La Niña conditions. The expected crop production influences decisions taken by Millers to procure grains, Traders to evaluate anticipated supply and demand, and volume requirements for grain storage planning by Silo managers.      

Evaluating the progress of summer crops throughout any season is an ongoing task that relies on the continuous monitoring of rainfall, soil water availability, and crop conditions across diverse growing regions. GEOTERRAIMAGE has introduced the GeoFarmer Crop Condition Dashboard, using Earth Observation Technology to deliver frequent updates on these factors every ten days. The dashboard illustrates the near-real-time comparisons of current crop conditions, rainfall, and soil water levels against historical trends, utilizing a 5-year mean, all at municipal or management levels.

The Crop Condition Dashboard ensures decision-makers have timely access to near-real-time information.