See also:
» 08.04.2009 - Lesotho ready to roll out social cash grants
» 25.10.2007 - Lesotho launches price subsidy campaign
» 08.07.2005 - New drought in Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia
» 04.03.2005 - Lesotho hopes for first good harvest in 4 years
» 17.12.2004 - New project to train poorest farmers in Lesotho
» 28.09.2004 - Two million need food aid in Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland
» 17.06.2004 - EU emergency aid for Lesotho, Swaziland
» 01.03.2004 - Maize-basket of Lesotho hardest hit by drought











China wholesale online through DHgate.com


Houlihan's coupons


Finn autentiske matoppskrifter fra hele verden på Verdensmat.no:
Gazpacho Børek Kartoffelsalat Taboulé Gulasj Albóndigas Cevapi Rougaille Japrak sarma Zwiebelbrot Klopse Giouvetsi Paella Pljeskavica Pica pau Pulpo a la gallega Flammkuchen Langosj Tapenade Chatsjapuri Pasulj Lassi Kartoffelpuffer Tortilla Raznjici Knödel Lentejas Bœuf bourguignon Korianderchutney Brenneslesuppe Proia Sæbsi kavurma Sardinske calamares


Autentiske matoppskrifter fra hele verden finner du på Verdensmat.no:
Réunion Portugal Aserbajdsjan Serbia Tyskland Seychellene Bosnia Spania Libanon Belgia India Kroatia Hellas Italia Ungarn Komorene Georgia Mauritius Østerrike Romania Frankrike


Lesotho | Malawi | South Africa | Swaziland
Agriculture - Nutrition

Food shortages in Southern Africa "to continue"

afrol News, 5 July - According to a new assessment of food security in Southern Africa, the region "will continue to face critical food shortages" during 2004-05, in particular Lesotho, Swaziland and Malawi. Although South Africa's harvests are below average, the region's largest grain producer may export enough grain to cover needs in Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland.

According to the latest Southern Africa update by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS), released this weekend, the upcoming consumption period will again see major deficits. Several Southern African nations have been hard hit by adverse crop growing conditions.

- An overall cereal production shortfall of 1.468 million metric tonnes is currently projected for the region, the FEWS report reveals. While Mozambique appears to have fared better this year, Lesotho, Malawi and Swaziland are foreseen to "experience higher production deficits than those faced last year."

But also the regional food basket, South Africa, can expect lower levels of total cereal production this year, compared to last year. South Africa's grain production is expected to be reduced by 7 percent this season, compared to last year's very bad harvests.

Nevertheless, South Africa still will be able to export an estimated 2 million tonnes of grains, mostly to its neighbouring countries. This had been reported by South Africa's Statistics Directorate of the National Department of Agriculture (NDA). After last year's season, however, South Africa had exported more than 3 million tonnes.

The most disastrous situation described in the FEWS reports is again the total crop failure in Lesotho. Last year, Lesotho's total grain production only reached 94 tonnes, down from a ten-year average of 159 tonnes. This season, production is even foreseen to have dropped to 51 tonnes - representing a 68 percent drop from the ten-year average.

Also in Swaziland, the situation remains critical. The small kingdom is expected to experience higher production deficits than those faced last year. Here, grain production for the current season is 15 percent lower than the ten-year average.

For the past four rainy seasons, Lesotho and Swaziland have endured consecutive years of drought conditions that have adversely affected all agricultural production and hence the livelihoods of the affected communities. Extended periods of food insecurity and the impact of HIV/AIDS have weakened the resiliency of households, as well as setting back agricultural recovery.

For the current season, parts of Malawi are also included in the region's areas, facing critical food shortages. While Malawi experienced excellent harvests last season - finally putting an end to years of hardship - grain production has failed in some of the southern parts of the country this season.

Lesotho, Swaziland and parts of Malawi will therefore depend on food aid and commercial imports from South Africa in the upcoming consumption period. Also Namibia and Botswana - traditionally food deficit countries relying on commercial imports - will have their share of South Africa's exportable grain surplus this year. Also Angola is expected to have its grain import needs increased.

Other highlights in the FEWS report include the better-than-expected harvests in Mozambique, which this year expects a small grain surplus. This season, Tanzania has turned last year's deficit into a surplus, while the Zimbabwean grain deficit has decreased dramatically. The Zambian surplus this year has even grown compared to last year.

- Overall, and contrary to indications at the start of the season, the production estimates indicate a marked recovery in yield prospects for many countries in the region, the FEWS report concludes. "Production shortfalls will not be as severe as earlier assessed previously projected, due to an improvement in the distribution and amount of rainfall in the second half of the cropping season."


- Create an e-mail alert for Lesotho news
- Create an e-mail alert for Malawi news
- Create an e-mail alert for South Africa news
- Create an e-mail alert for Swaziland news
- Create an e-mail alert for Agriculture - Nutrition news


 
    Printable version


On the Afrol News front page now

Rwanda
Rwanda succeeds including citizens in formal financial sector

afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.

Famine warning: "South Sudan is imploding"

afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
Guinea
Panic in West Africa after Ebola outbreak in Guinea

afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia tightens its already strict anti-gay laws

afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia plans Africa's biggest dam

afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.



front page | news | countries | archive | currencies | news alerts login | about afrol News | contact | advertise | español 

©  afrol News. Reproducing or buying afrol News' articles.

   You can contact us at mail@afrol.com