Farmers are spending more on agricultural machinery - thanks to their improved finances, but also due to confidence in the coming year's production season, says Wandile Sihlobo.
In a typical summer season, where there are favourable weather conditions, South African farmers plough roughly four million hectares for summer grains and oilseeds. This comprises maize, sunflower seed, soybeans, groundnuts, sorghum, and dry beans.
While there remains some uncertainty about the weather conditions for the upcoming summer crop production season, which begins in October, it is fair to say farmers are optimistic and are gearing up for it.