THE number of countries in the world facing food emergencies increased in May with 36 of them currently affected by food shortages, the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation said in its latest ‘Food Outlook’. According to the June report, drought is largely to blame for the food crises, which are all found in developing countries, but civil strife, especially in Africa, is exacerbating the situation. In southern Africa, the report said, despite severe flooding and some crop losses due to excessive rains and cyclones in recent months the overall prospects for production are “favourable”. “Major, maize growing areas in the sub-region gave generally benefited from the abundant moisture,” it said.
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