South Africa: African crops, economies at risk as El Nino threatens to scorch and soak

• Warming in Pacific triggers extreme weather around globe

• Extended drought seen in southern Africa, floods in east

• Millions face hunger in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe

By Ed Stoddard

POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Standing waist-deep in a hole, South African maize farmer Tom van Rooyen digs at the side with a small pickaxe.

"There is moisture 25 centimetres down but nothing beyond that. If we get below-average rains, it will be a disaster," he said, wiping the red dust from his calloused hands.

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