(a) Total amount of hectares considered plant ready
During 2017/18 financial year, a total of 2 693. 77ha were ploughed and planted in both the Local Municipalities broken down as follows: - Dr. J.S. Moroka (1 032. 7ha) and Thembisile Hani (1 661.07) Local Municipalities. In the current financial year, 2018/19, only 3 ha were cultivated in Thembisile Hani Local Municipality and ready to be planted.
(b) Total amount of hectares that have been;
(i) Planted over the past three (3) financial years: 2015/16; 2016/17 and 2017/18
The total hectares planted in the past three years in Dr. J.S. Moroka Local Municipality amounted to 3 231.92ha and for Thembisile Hani Local Municipality 3 561.96ha. These amount to a total of 6 793.88. Maize is the main crop grown in these two Local Municipalities.
(ii) Ploughed over the past three (3) financial years: 2015/16; 2016/17 and 2017/18
The total hectares ploughed in the past three years is the same for both in Dr. J.S. Moroka Local Municipality and Thembisile Hani Local Municipality which are:- 3 231.92ha and 3 561,96 respectively, amounting to 6 793.88 in total.
(iii) Harvested over the past three (3) financial years: 2015/16; 2016/17 and 2017/18
The average yield in these two Local Municipalities is estimated at 2.6 ton/ha. However, during 2015/16 financial year, the Province experienced severe drought conditions and this has resulted in significant yield reduction.
During 2015/16 and 2016/17 financial years a total of 1 576.964 tons were harvested. The total tonnage harvested from the Local Municipalities is as follow:-
Harvesting for maize planted during 2017/18 financial year, will only commence in May / June 2018.