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Zim in 'dire need' of food
17/04/2006 14:12 - (SA)
Harare - Authorities in Zimbabwe have forecast food shortages in parts of central Mashonaland East province, blaming the reduced harvests on a long dry spell, while a local official has warned of a "dire need" for food, reports said on Monday.
The shortages will hit areas where desperately-needed maize crops have wilted, according to the state-controlled Herald newspaper.
"What is heart rending is that most of the wilted crop had reached the tasselling stage and any rains that may fall now will not be able to salvage the crops," said the ruling ZANU-PF deputy for the area, Aeneas Chigwedere.
Takawira Kufakwevanhu, the area's district administrator said residents were "in dire need" of food aid.
"There is definitely going to be need for food assistance in the affected areas. Although other parts of the district received average -to-good rainfall, shortage of fertilizer experienced by the farmers is going to result in low yields," said Kufakwevanhu.
The officials were speaking at events commemorating World Aids Day last week.
Aid agencies estimate that at least three million Zimbabweans will need food aid soon.
Since the launch of a controversial land redistribution programme five years ago, this once-prosperous country has suffered a succession of disappointing harvests.
The government says the poor yields are due to drought but critics say the new farmers also lack expertise, funding and commitment.
Sapa-dpa
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Zimbabwe Special Report
