MONITORING AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS IN KWAZULU-NATAL

1. MONITORING AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS IN KWAZULU-NATAL February 2011 Provincial Dam levels Rainfall across KZN Green = 70 – 100%; Yellow = 40 – 69.9 %; Red < 40% of full storage capacity. Most dams remained the same or showed a slight decrease in level due to the low February rainfall. The exceptions are the Hluhluwe Dam, which is now above 70% for the first time since 2004, and Nagle Dam, which dropped by 18 %, fyui. Using satellites to monitor conditions Medium term rainfall prediction In previous reports, Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) data were being provided through the UN FEWS website every 10 days. However, due to satellite technical problems these data are no longer being provided. Hot, dry weather during February has lead to below average vegetation conditions developing around Durban and parts of the KZN Midlands. However, there appears to be sufficient ground water available from the good rains during December and January to sustain plant growth through most of KZN. The SA Weather Bureau is predicting below-normal rainfall for most of KZN for March, April and May, an indication that the below average rainfall will continue. Prepared by: O. Howison Natural Resources – Macro Planning Owen.howison@kzndae.gov.za