THE drought is threatening to drive one in five farmers from the land in parts of South Australia, BankSA managing director Rob Chapman says.

According to the Adelaide Advertiser, conditions in parts of the state are deeply worrying due to spring rain failure.

"I've heard reports that 10 to 20 per cent of farmers will be under intense pressure, and that intense pressure means maybe they'll have to leave the farm and seek alternative employment," Mr Chapman said.

"That will be an issue for everybody, not just the farmers. It will be an issue for governments, banks and local communities."

BankSA has the most extensive branch network in the state, and Mr Chapman said his view was based on talks with the bank's rural management teams, regional development boards and business leaders.

"There is going to be some devastation . . . because in some parts, this will be the third or fourth year in a row, depending on where you are, where you've had little or no return," he said.

SA Farmers Federation grains council chairman Jamie Smith said crops were extremely variable, with the southern Eyre Peninsula, central York Peninsula and the South-East doing "pretty well".

"But the more outlying areas have been badly impacted," he said. Worst hit were areas north of Lock, Jamestown and Lameroo. In addition, world prices were plunging and grain futures in the U.S. had halved since early this year."

Read more at the Adelaide Advertiser on-line.