Thembisile Hani — What was meant to be a season of growth and harvest has turned into a season of loss for farmers and farm workers, as persistent heavy rainfall between December 2025 and January 2026 disrupted agricultural production.
At Tweefontein D, local farmer Edward Nkosi is counting the cost after nearly one hectare of butternut crops, valued at approximately R15 000, was destroyed by flooding. The damage has forced him to cut production and reduce staff.
Nkosi, who farms on 20 hectares of land, said the season quickly shifted from hope to hardship. “The excessive rain has led to flooded fields, damaged crops, and disrupted planting and harvesting schedules. What was supposed to be a productive season turned into a financial setback,” he said.
He had planned to harvest butternut during the first week of January, but by the time harvesting began, most of the produce had already rotted. “We were ready to harvest, but when the time came, we found that we had lost almost everything. The few butternuts that survived were not good enough for the market,” Nkosi explained.
Unlike previous seasons where rainfall boosted crop growth, this year brought little benefit. “I did not see any improvement in crop growth. We actually made a loss compared to our previous harvest,” he said.
While crops such as spinach and beetroot managed to survive, the financial strain forced Nkosi to scale down operations and employment. “I won’t be able to pay all my four employees after losing almost everything,” he said.
Workers also paying the price
Beyond the farm gates, the impact has been deeply personal for workers who depend on agriculture as their main source of income. Nkateko Mthombeni (21), an agricultural economics student and intern at Edward Agri Farm, was among those who lost their income due to the financial strain on the business.
For nine months, Mthombeni worked as an agricultural advisor, consultant and general farm worker, gaining practical experience while supporting her family. “Edward Agri was not just a workplace, it was my family. When I lost this job, I did not only lose my income, I lost people who supported me,” Mthombeni said.
As a student entering her third year of Agricultural Economics, the job played a crucial role in helping her cover transport and household needs. “My mother is a single parent and unemployed. This income helped me reduce the burden on her. I was able to contribute to groceries and basic needs. Now I have to return to school without income, and it has caused stress and tension at home,” she said.
Despite the emotional and financial setback, Mthombeni remains hopeful. “Tough times don’t last. I pray that Edward Agri recovers and that we can be rehired. Agriculture is not just a job — it is where I am building my future,” she said.
Nkosi believes the challenges farmers face extend beyond individual businesses and affect the wider rural economy. “Farming employment is a big deal in rural areas. When farms do well, households benefit and local businesses grow. When farming suffers, the whole community feels it,” he said.
Farmers must adopt climate-smart methods
Further north in KwaMhlanga, ABM Farming Dreams founder Zaza Letsholo has also felt the impact of the persistent rainfall. Letsholo operates a mixed farming enterprise producing short-cycle vegetables including spinach, lettuce, Swiss chard, beetroot, baby marrow, cucumbers and herbs such as coriander, parsley and basil.
His farm supplies local markets within the municipality and employs three permanent workers, with additional seasonal labour during peak periods. Letsholo said excessive rainfall left the land too wet to prepare for planting, causing serious production delays. “The soil was too saturated to work on. This disrupted planting schedules and reduced our overall output,” he said.
Letsholo estimates that the farm suffered financial losses ranging between R80 000 and R120 000 due to missed planting windows and reduced production. The situation was worsened by flooding along the R573 Moloto Road connecting KwaMhlanga to Cullinan, a key transport route for farming inputs and produce.
“When roads are damaged or flooded, deliveries are delayed, transport costs increase and market access becomes difficult. This affects our ability to compete and remain profitable,” Letsholo said.
Letsholo stressed that climate change is no longer a distant threat. “Climate change is happening now. Farmers must adopt climate-smart methods such as protected agriculture and improved infrastructure if we want to remain sustainable,” he said.
Despite the challenges facing the sector, both Nkosi and Letsholo remain determined to continue farming.
In response to the affected farmers, the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs said it will need more than R165 million to support about 600 farmers impacted by floods across the province.
MEC Khethiwe Moeketsi said, “We will be visiting all districts in Mpumalanga to assess the extent of the damage on farms. Our department will provide fertilisers and seeds, and we will also assist in repairing damaged access roads near farms to ensure that farmers can resume production.”
