Southern Africa: Poor rains delay planting

(New York, 31 December 2003): Rainfall in much of Southern Africa has been very low to date, leading to delayed planting in Lesotho, Swaziland, South Africa and Mozambique, according to the UN Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Support Office (RIACSO). Farmers who planted despite the less than optimal conditions could face a reduced yield, while the window for re-planting is closing.
The situation in Lesotho is particularly problematic given a current 30-day weather forecast of dry conditions. Lesotho received insufficient rains during the last summer season, and the winter season failed as well. Lack of inputs has reduced the area planted, and yields are expected to be well below average.

The situation in Swaziland's lowveld is equally worrisome, as is the situation for non-irrigated crops in the western and north-eastern interior of South Africa. By January, when this year's harvest has been exhausted, the World Food Programme will be feeding an estimated 245,000 people, or about a quarter of the Swazi population.

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA NY, 917 367 5126, mobile 917 892 1679; Elizabeth Byrs, OCHA Geneva, 41 22 917 2653, mobile 41(0) 79 472 4570.