Johannesburg | Wednesday
THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) warned on Wednesday that nine of its 14 member states are facing cereal shortages.
“Cereal deficits are expected in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe,” executive secretary Prega Ramsamy told journalists.
Zambia, with maize production down 39%, has launched an international appeal for assistance.
Ramsamy said the region had experienced unfavourable weather in most countries.
It will experience an all-cereals deficit of 3,87-million tonnes for the 2001/2002 marketing year against a surplus of 583 000 tonnes in the 2000/2001 marketing year, he said.
“Total domestic cereal availability is estimated at 25,04-million tonnes to meet requirements estimated at 28,91-million tonnes,” he said.
Of the SADC countries, only South Africa will have an all-cereal surplus, he said. Maize will be in surplus in Mozambique.
Maize shortfalls are projected for Lesotho, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, as well as Zambia.
The SADC members are: Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. – AFP