Agriculture in South Africa

South Africa is generally short of water. Only 11,4 per cent of the land is used for intensive agriculture relying on rainfalls. About two thirds of the country is arid or semi-arid. Rainfall is unreliable, and there can be long drought periods, as well as devastating floods. Therefore, irrigation based agriculture is very important and many products, like wine, citrus fruit and vegetables are grown under irrigation.

Meat production is also adapted to the climatic conditions in South Africa. In the arid expanses of the Karoo extensive cattle, sheep and goat breeding on natural pastures is predominant.

In the north-west, the farming is confined to goats and sheep, though in areas with more precipitation they also breed cattle. At the coast and near densely populated areas there is also dairy production.

The share of agricultural produce in the GDP is slightly receding and was about 30 billion Rand (4,4 %) in 1996. Altogether, South Africa's agriculture is well developed and can successfully hold its ground on the world market, especially through products like wine, fruit, vegetables and sugar. About one million people earn their living through agriculture.