FAO issues food security alert for southern Africa

A special alert issued by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warns that food security could be acutely affected in southern Africa in the year ahead.

By Neels Blom

24 Dec 2015

FAO issues food security alert for southern Africa

©ginasanders via 123RF

The UN agency's Global Information and Early Warning System said on Tuesday that agricultural prospects in southern Africa were weakened by the El Niño weather phenomenon that has seen a widespread drought in southern Africa and higher temperatures. Reduced farm output would follow last year's disappointing season, which has already raised food prices and could acutely affect the food security situation in 2016, the alert said.

The planting window for maize, a staple food in southern Africa, has effectively passed in the higher-lying eastern part of the subcontinent where early frost limits the duration of the season. In the western district where mostly white maize for human consumption is grown, the planting window is rapidly closing. The prospects for crops that have already been sown are not good. "It's the sixth week of the cropping season now and there's not enough moisture in the soil," said FAO's Shukri Ahmed.

The agency said the region's small-scale farmers are almost entirely dependent on rain, rendering their output highly susceptible to its variations. While El Niño's impact depends highly on location and season - the impact of El Niño on agricultural production appears more muted in northern areas - past strong episodes have been associated with reduced production in several countries, including SA.

Source: BDpro

Source: I-Net Bridge

For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.

We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.

Go to: http://www.inet.co.za