El Nino to hit Zambia again
2002-11-21 18:49
Lusaka - The El Nino weather pattern is expected to hit Zambia for the second time since 1997, worsening the current drought.
According to the Zambian meteorological department the country's
agricultural sector could face another crop failure this year.
Although the country may experience normal rain patterns between November and December the suspected arrival of the dry weather pattern in January could affect crop production, said departmental senior focus officer Joseph Nkomoki.
"Most farmers are likely to lose their crops and subsequently fail to meet their debt obligations to the government," he said.
Zambian farmers are struggling to pay back an accumulated ZMK12bn (US$3m) in loans granted to them through the state controlled Food Reserve Agency because of continued drought in the country.
The effects of El Nino will most likely be felt across the southern African region and farmers should plant their seeds before the end of November to make the most of the expected rainfall, said Nkomoki.
Two seasons of crop failure has led to the World Bank lending US$50m to Zambia to help stave off hunger in the country.
Zambia's needs 650 000 tons of maize to feed the more than 2.9 million starving people in the country.
The government is being forced to import about 1.2 million tons of maize.
Zambia's annual maize consumption is 800 000 tons. - African Eye News Service