Southern Africa braces for poor harvests
Pastor Dale Morgan
*Southern Africa braces for poor harvests*
08 Mar 2007 10:29:00 GMT
Source: WFP
WFP has expressed deep concern over erratic weather patterns in southern
Africa which have devastated harvest prospects for millions of people,
and could spell yet another year of widespread food shortages.
Parts of Angola, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zambia, have been
struck by devastating floods which have destroyed tens of thousands of
hectares of crops during the most critical growing stage.
In stark contrast, Lesotho, Namibia, southern Mozambique, and much of
Swaziland and large swathes of Zimbabwe’s cropland, have all been
affected by prolonged dry spells which have withered and killed crops or
reduced their development.
Extreme heat and drought
Lesotho, for example, is expecting up to a 60 percent decline in
agricultural output over last year’s harvest.
In addition, South Africa, which is usually the largest producer of
maize in the region and one of WFP’s procurement points, is facing poor
harvest prospects due to recent weeks of extreme heat and drought in
some parts of the country.
Reduced harvests in South Africa could be especially problematic when
responding to food shortages in the region, particularly as prices for
maize have already started escalating.
Critical food shortages
“All indications are that southern Africa could be heading for yet
another year of critical food shortages,” said Amir Abdulla, WFP
Regional Director for Southern Africa.
“For some parts of the region, it’s simply too late to hope that a late
burst of rainfall will change people’s food supply outlook for the year
ahead.”
One of the countries worst affected by dry spells is Swaziland, which is
potentially facing a sixth consecutive year of poor harvests -- perhaps
the worst in 25 years.
Impact
In the last few months, Swaziland has suffered delayed rainfall, heavy
winds and hailstorms, and then scorching dry spells.
This year, the impact of the dry spells is expected to be felt
countrywide and not just in the traditionally dry Middleveld, Lowveld
and Lubombo Plateau.
“Early indications are that this could be the worst agricultural year in
Swaziland due to drought since 1992,” Abdulla said.
Crop failure
“We are now pulling together an assessment team to determine the extent
of crop failure and the likely impact on the country’s food supply, but
initial findings are grim.”
Since 2002, WFP has been supporting about a quarter of Swaziland’s 1.1
million people with food assistance to improve the nutrition of families
affected by drought, poverty, and HIV/AIDS.
Food insecurity
However, even in a normal year of harvests, nearly half the population
is classified as suffering from food insecurity.
Parts of Zimbabwe are of particular concern as early indications are
that cereal crops in much of the southern half of the country have been
decimated by a long dry spell in January and early February.
In other parts of southern Africa, despite the erratic weather, Malawi
is expected to yield a bumper harvest again this year, while Zambia and
northern Mozambique are also likely to produce good harvests that will
represent buying opportunities for WFP as in previous years. Crops are
usually harvested during April and May.
HIV/AIDS
Since 2004, harvests in southern Africa have generally improved due to
better weather patterns and the broader availability of seeds and
fertilisers.
As a result, the number of people requiring food aid has steadily
declined. However, due to chronic poverty and nine of the ten highest
HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in the world, food security in southern Africa
remains precarious, requiring WFP to currently assist 4.3 million people.
Alarming
“We are watching the region very closely to see what assistance may be
needed to help the poorest and most vulnerable people through the months
ahead,” Abdulla said.
“Assessments need to be carried out as soon as possible to determine the
impact agricultural losses may have on these groups, but already the
early indications for several countries are alarming.”
Even without the additional challenges that would be posed by widespread
erratic harvests in southern Africa, WFP faces a funding shortfall of
about US$97 million for current operations through to the end of 2007.