JOHANNESBURG - South Africa’s farming sector continues to support a strong level of employment, despite a decline in jobs during the second quarter. Stats SA says the sector employed more than 900,000 people in the three months to June. The improvement over the past year reflects stronger activity in labour intensive crops, including fruits, vegetables and field crops. While some farmers are reporting difficulties finding workers amid the ongoing immigration debate, industry surveys suggest these shortages remain isolated rather than widespread. Higher fuel and fertiliser costs, rising electricity prices and the threat of an El Niño-driven drought could put pressure on farmers and employment conditions in the year ahead.