Cereal production prospects in
The foreseen shortfall in production, especially for maize, is expected to intensify households' food insecurity, push up domestic prices and spur a surge in import needs across the subregion, according to a new assessment from FAO's
The disappointing forecast comes after "widespread and substantial rainfall deficits in February, exacerbated by record high temperatures, a particularly damaging combination for crops," the report said, noting that there are scant hopes of a recovery before the harvest period commences in May.
Acute food insecurity in southern
Food prices, already rising at annual rates above 10 percent, are likely to rise further and, based on current projections,
This combination of reduced harvests and rising food prices is particularly harmful for agricultural households and restoration of production,, as farm incomes are set to be squeezed while more resources will be needed to purchase food, said
Plan ahead for shift to La Niña
This observed pattern is typical of the El Niño weather phenomenon in the region, FAO noted.
Current forecasts however point a high likelihood of a transition to a La Niña phase later in the year, with more beneficial precipitation patterns.
That makes it "imperative" to scale up resilience-bolstering measures enabling farmers to prepare adequately for the next agricultural season starting in
The governments of
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