New satellite technology has confirmed what farmers have been saying for months - that the drought is disastrous and could cause more crop failures. The devastation caused by the drought is evident from a national biomass map produced by Dutch company eLeaf from satellite data. The map shows that in the worst-affected areas, most notably the Free State, crop production is half what it was.The company stated: "The combination of a poor 2014-2015 season, the extremely dry early agricultural season (October to December), and forecasts of hot and drier-than-average conditions continuing through to the middle of the year, suggest a scenario of extensive, regional crop failure." [Such a] crop failure will be disastrous for the economy."ELeaf uses Pixel Intelligence's PiMapping technology to combine satellite data with information about weather and surface conditions collected on the ground. The result is highly detailed maps that help in planning responses to the drought.In addition to its national mapping, eLeaf provided detailed assessments of three severely drought-affected areas - the Free State, Kruger National Park, and Vaalharts irrigation system in Northern Cape.The data showed that:There has been a 37% decline in natural vegetation in Kruger National Park;A 20% drop in biomass production in the area covered by the Vaalharts irrigation system in the space of a year; andIn the Free State, biomass production dropped from an average of 8000kg/ha between August and January 2014-2015 to 4000kg/ha during the 2015-2016 season.The company said its technology would help authorities forecast crop losses and identify emergency areas."Such information [would allow the] authorities to implement mitigation measures in the most effective way."ELeaf is currently partnering with the Western Cape department of agriculture in a project called FruitLook that focuses on surveying orchards and vineyards.The project supports 270 users who can access data online.According to the FruitLook website, farmers can earn up to R33000 extra per hectare in a single season due to input savings and yield increases...