Photo by: Bloomberg
The ongoing drought is a big problem that needs everyone to work together, President Jacob Zuma has said.
Addressing Parliament on Thursday, he said the impact on the agricultural sector was severe.
"It will affect us for a long time to come."
He said it would be felt through food price increases.
It would also cause rising debt for farmers and job losses for workers, he warned.
Zuma said 2.7-million households were affected by the drought.
He reiterated the government relief programmes to deal with the drought, including the R450-million set aside for building boreholes and improvement of water infrastructure.
Zuma said an additional R498-million had been approved, in addition to R124-million allocated by provinces, to assist farmers with livestock feeds and water.
"The fact of the matter is the drought is here and needs all of us to work together as a country."