Severe Food Shortages to Continue in Zimbabwe     MORE NEWS   HOME

A host of factors, including erratic rainfall on the heels of severe drought, a shortage of seeds, and a deteriorating economy are contributing to Zimbabwe ’s current food crisis. Five million people in Zimbabwe will require food aid between now and the April, 2004 harvest.

A shortfall of 40,000 MT of seeds is anticipated for the next planting season, which begins in October. The potential seed shortage is attributed to a combination of climatic factors and disruptions from Zimbabwe 's controversial land reform program. Large-scale seed producers are being replaced by new and newly resettled farmers who have not yet mastered seed production and are struggling with a lack of capital, inputs, and collateral for loans.     -United Nations

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