(Ecofin Agency) - South Africa’s Gauteng province could benefit from emergency assistance for its agriculture sector. The government has announced a budget of $32 million to support areas affected by low output in the agriculture sector, but provincial authorities fear that this funding is not enough.

The country’s corn production has been severely affected by the current drought. Climate hazards have also dried up pastures and forced farmers to increase the slaughter of animals. The crisis being faced by the Gauteng could directly affect the populations of other cities in the province, namely, Johannesburg and Pretoria.

South Africa is suffering from the effects of the El Nino weather phenomenon. Experts say that this year, this phenomenon has reached its highest level since it was first registered.

Aaron Akinocho