|
afrol News, 10 May - A mix of regional drought and off-season rainfall has significantly shortened the supply of maize in Zambia. An increase in maize and maize meal prices is already noted in rural markets and in Lusaka. The government has ordered imports. According to a new report from the US agency Famine Early Warning Systems (FEWS), released yesterday, the widespread rainfall - in some cases resulting in storms - experienced in mid-April "has brought about concern of losing part of the surviving crop this season." This occurred at a time when rains are expected to be ending allowing grain to dry. These heavy rainfalls had even covered southern Zambia, which previously had experienced continuous dryness. For the southern parts, where the season ends early (end of March), grain in store is at risk of damage as most small-scale farmers use open storage system. Ideally, grain should now be drying in the field, and "substantial rains will do more harm than good at this stage," FEWS reports. As a result, harvesting had already started in Zambia's southern areas. The US agency reports that there is little supply of imported maize on the market. "Most millers are currently dependent on the early harvested commercial maize to supply maize meal on the market." In urban areas like Lusaka, prices of maize meal had now started to go up after slight reductions in the month of March. This was "because millers are paying more for the local maize than the imported one, which was being subsidised." The Zambian government reportedly has awarded a further 30,000MT maize import contract to increase supply of maize for April and May. It is not yet known how soon this maize will start coming in, FEWS reports. Food access was however improving in many areas of northern Zambia as early foods were becoming available. "However, there are still a few areas reporting problems due to isolated flooding," according to FEWS. The World Food Program (WFP) had extended the current Emergency Operation to July from March in order to cater for southern districts with food problems. Preparations for a new UN crop and food assessment mission are underway. The assessment will be for a period of three weeks starting 6 May. The findings are expected to be an input into the Southern Africa Regional appeal to be made at the end of May. FEWS reports that this had been an initiative by the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
|
