Drought-stricken Zambia turns to Uganda for 0.5m tonnes of maize

Published 2024년 4월 29일

Tridge summary

Zambia has banned the export of maize grain and flour due to a severe dry spell that has affected maize production in 84 out of its 116 districts, leaving over two million people vulnerable to starvation. The country is seeking to import over 500,000 metric tonnes of maize from Uganda to address this shortage. This situation is exacerbated by drought declared a national disaster and a state of emergency, as well as macroeconomic challenges including low growth, high fiscal deficits, rising inflation, and debt service obligations. The drought, caused by El Niño, is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather events due to climate change that is affecting the agriculture sector and leading to increased food insecurity in Zambia.

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Original content

Warehouse grain in Africa with food for people during the food crisis for Ukraine war. PHOTO | SHUTTERSTOCK Lusaka banned the exports of maize grain and flour in February, following a prolonged dry spell that has adversely impacted the production of the crop in 84 out of the country’s 116 districts Zambia is in talks with Uganda for a possible supply of more than 500,000 metric tonnes of maize to replenish its depleted reserves that have exposed more than two million people to starvation. Lusaka banned the exports of maize grain and mealie (maize flour) in February following a prolonged dry spell that has adversely impacted the production of the crop in 84 out of its 116 districts. Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal, Industry and Fisheries says through a correspondence seen by The EastAfrican that Kampala has received a request to supply up to 500,000 metric tonnes of the grain to Lusaka. “The Government of Uganda has received an expression of interest for up to 500,000 MT ...

Source: Agrifocusafrica