Mozambique Food Security Update: 24 September 2001

Transcription

1 Mozambique Food Security Update: 24 September 2001 Highlights Shortages of rural household food stocks in districts in Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane, Sofala, Tete, and Manica Provinces are likely to cause widespread hunger for approximately 369,000 highly food-insecure people over the coming two months. Fortunately, there have been no reports of people dying from hunger. Based on provincial estimates, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADER) has projected total cultivated area and production increases for the 2001/02 production year. The production forecast points to possible increases of 4 percent for cereal production, 7 percent for vegetables, and 5 percent for tubers over the production achieved in 2000/01. Mozambique is expected to grow 983,527 (MT of sugar cane during the 2001 season, from which the country will produce 104,958 MT of sugar and 33,472 MT of molasses. This figure would represent Mozambique s best production in18 years. Because of a comprehensive vaccination campaign along with animal health monitoring, Mozambique has managed to ward off any outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Veterinary authorities have banned the import of hoofed animals from Zimbabwe, as well as their products and by-products. Producer, wholesaler, and retailer food prices increased during August in the major markets monitored by the Agricultural Markets Information System (SIMA). These price rises were caused by the high demand for food staples by Mozambicans as well as Malawian and Zimbabwean traders. Radio has an important role to play in communicating early warning of natural disasters and its use should be expanded. This was the sentiment of participants at a seminar organized by USAID/FEWS NET/MIND that examined the role of radio in early warning, preparedness, and response to disasters.. Decision-makers, NGOs, members of the government, and journalists recommended that the distribution of wind-up radios be expanded to improve dissemination and quality of information so that an appropriate and timely response can be mounted to natural disasters, such as floods and cyclones. WFP and FEWS NET, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Health, are continuing their baseline food economy studies in the Rio Limpopo Basin. Field data reveal that the Alto (Upper) Limpopo food economy zone is a potentially good agricultural area where people can achieve food security in a normal year. However, households face serious difficulties in obtaining cash to meet their basic expenses, including health, education, and staple foods. The Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) is funded by USAID And managed by Chemonics International, Inc. FEWS NET Mozambique Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development National Directorate of Agriculture PO Box 1406 Maputo, Mozambique Telephone: (258-1) /460195/ Facsimile: (258-1) mlibombo@fews.net

2 SHORTAGE OF HOUSEHOLD FOOD STOCKS COULD PLACE 370,000 PEOPLE AT RISK Province District Affected Population Maputo Magude 7,600 Manhica 28,000 Marracuene 5,500 matutuine 12,100 Moamba 10,200 63,400 Gaza Mabalane 5,000 Chibuto 10,000 Bilene 25,000 Chokwe 18,000 Chigubo 5,000 Madlakazi 24,000 Guija 14, ,000 Inhambane Govuro 3,900 Vilankulo 20,400 Massinga 17,700 Inhassoro 5,800 Mabote 5,000 Panda 3,800 Inharrime 13,400 Funhalouro 3,000 73,000 Sofala Chibabava 5,400 Caia 10,400 Chiringoma 2,600 Chemba 4,700 Muanza 1,100 24,200 Tete Mutarara 16,900 Changara 5,500 Chiuta 1,100 Zumbo 6,300 Magoe 1,000 Moatize 4,800 35,600 Manica Tambara 12,500 Machaze 26,000 38,500 Total 335,700 Contingency 33,570 Grand Total 369,270 Source: Technical Council for Disaster Management/National Institute for the Disaster Management (CTGC/INGC) A shortage of rural household food stocks in districts across the country may push an estimated 369,270 people into the highly food insecure category in the next 2 months. This is the conclusion of a multidisciplinary evaluation mission comprising Government officials, World Food Program, and other United Nations agencies. This mission carried out field work August 26-31in 33 districts (see Table). The objective of the mission was to cross-check the accuracy of information circulated by the media and the local authorities, who reported the occurrence of hunger. The results of the field visits indicate that: 1. Poor local availability of food or the shortage of household food stocks is occurring in the districts affected by adverse climate conditions, droughts, and floods. 2. The second-season crop production (April-August) was very poor because of soil erosion along the river banks during the 2000 and 2001 floods. Pests attacks also contributed to poor secondseason crop yields. 3. The increase in staple food prices and the steady decrease of maize availability has been causing a decline in food acess. Concerns related to widespread seasonal hunger and very poor food availability have spurred the Government s Technical Council for the Co-ordination and Management of Disasters (CTGC) to recommend the implementation of an action plan to ensure free food assistance and foodfor-work to all 335,700 highly food insecure people. In this instance, highly food insecure can be defined as people Page 2

3 who will be unable to meet their consumption needs starting within the next two months, and will be forced to reduce consumption and dispose of their productive assets, thereby undermining their future food security. Resettlement of the 2001 flood-affected population in the Central Region would help get them back on their feet. Similarly, the need for seed distribution to the highly food insecure should be evaluated. The evaluation mission also urged much closer monitoring of the nutritional conditions of the highly food insecure population In normal production years, the period of food shortage in the deficit districts is from November to January. However, this year households have depleted their food stocks earlier than usual. Fortunately, there have been no reports of people dying from hunger. THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT MAKES PROJECTIONS FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SEASON 2001/02 The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADER) is projecting an increase in cultivated area and crop production for the 2001/02 agricultural season that is about to get underway. 2000/ /02 Percent Crops Planted Production Planted Production Change Area (000 MT) Area (000 MT) Area Production Cereals 2,110 1,686 2,175 1, Legumes Tubers 1,010 5,975 1,043 6, Source: Early Warning Department, Ministrry of Agriculture and Rural Development According to the Early Warning Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (DAP/MADER), the area to be planted includes the following: 2,175,000 ha of cereals (maize, sorghum and millet), 725,000 ha of legumes (beans and peanuts), and 1,043,000 ha of tubers (cassava) in the first cropping season 2001/02 that starts in October in the Southern Region and later in the northern Region. Without considering the regional rainfall forecast for the coming six months (not available at the time of this report), the DAP/MADER foresees a production increase of 4 percent for cereals, 7 percent for vegetables, and 5 percent for tubers compared with 2000/01 production levels. The 2001/02 agricultural season estimates of cultivated areas and expected production also took provincial estimates into account. MOZAMBIQUE EXPECTS ITS BEST SUGAR CANE PRODUCTION IN 18 YEARS Thanks to an environment of peace and the rehabilitation of sugar industries, Mozambique may achieve a record-breaking production of sugar cane in the 2001 season that started in June According to the National Sugar Institute (INA), the country is expected to produce 983,527 MT of sugar cane, 104,958 MT of sugar, and 33,472 MT of molasses. These production levels fall short of the production record of 1,505,860 MT of sugar cane, 125,731 MT of sugar, and 44,369 MT of molasses registered in The impact will be immediately beneficial to the country's economy. Around 30 percent of the sugar will be exported, and the remainder consumed internally. It will also lead to an increase in jobs which, in turn, will contribute to the improvement in income of rural households near the sugar plantations and factories. Page 3

4 MOZAMBIQUE INTENSIFIES ITS CAMPAIGN OF PREVENTION AGAINST FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE IN SEVEN DISTRICTS Since the last week of August, Mozambique has intensified prevention measures against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Mágoè, Cahora Bassa, and Changara Districts (Tete Province); Barue, Manica, Sussudenga, Machaze, and Mossurize Districts (Manica Province); and Massagena and Chicualacuala Districts (Gaza Province). Outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease Increase in Epidemiological Monitoring Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a viral disease that affects clovenhoofed animals. The main symptoms of the disease are sores on the mouth and foot, which can lead to death. These symptoms must be reported to veterinary authorities immediately. The outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease was reported in mid-august in southwestern (Bulawayo) and in southeastern (Chiredze) Zimbabwe. The Veterinary Epidemiology Unit of the Livestock National Directorate (UEV/DINAP) has developed an action plan aimed at preventing the transmission of Foot and Mouth Disease into the country, particularly districts bordering with Zimbabwe. This plan consists of the following: 1) a ban on animal movements out of Mágoè, Cahora Bassa, and Changara, and Chicualacuala Districts; 2) vaccination of animals in these districts; and 3) an increase of epideological monitoring in the districts bordering with Zimbabwe (see map). More recently, Mozambique has banned the entry of clovenhoofed animals, meat products, and by-products from Zimbabwe. So far, these measures appear to be working. There has been no outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in Mozambique. Page 4

5 MAIZE PRICES INCREASE IN MOZAMBIQUE RETAIL MARKETS Producer, wholesaler, and retail prices of most staple foods, including maize, increased during August. While farmers are benefiting from these higher prices, urban consumers are losing their purchasing power as retail price rises gallop ahead, especially in some of the Central and Northern Region markets. Maize retail prices rose in August, ranging from 4 percent (Maputo City, the highest in the country) to 156 percent (Tete City, though still lower than prices in some markets) above prices in July. Xai-Xai City was the only city showing a modest reduction of 5 percent in maize retail prices, although the reason for this is not clear. The increase in demand for maize by traders and wholesalers in Mozambique and by formal and informal traders from Malawi and Zimbabwe is driving the rapid price rise, particularly in the Central region, where the cities of Tete (156 percent) and Chimoio (66 percent) had recorded the highest maize retail price changes (though Chimoio prices remain among the lowest). Rising prices are adversely affecting urban purchasing power because higher prices have not been offset by higher wages or salaries. Retail maize prices in August 2000 were lower (ranging from 32 percent in Maputo to 202 percent in Tete) than in August 2001, despite the increase in maize production during 2000/01. These price trends suggest the need to monitor food prices as well as consumer purchasing power more closely, particularly in urban areas. 4,000 Comparison of Retail Maize Prices in Selected Markets: August 2000, July 2001 and August ,500 3,000 July 2001 August 2001 August 2000 MZ MT per kg 2,500 2,000 1,500 1, Maputo Xai-Xai Maxixe Beira Chimoio Tete Nampula Pemba Lichinga FEWS NET/Mozambique Source: SIMA/DEA Page 5

6 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ROLE OF RADIOS IN EARLY WARNING, PREPAREDNESS, AND RESPONSE TO DISASTERS Participants at a July 17 workshop sponsored by USAID Mozambique have recommended steps for improving use of radios in disseminating early warnings and preparing for natural disasters. The workshop, The Role of Radios in Early Warning, Preparedness and Response to Disasters, included Government officials associated with communication, meteorology, water, natural disasters, as well as decision-makers. These participants acknowledged that an early warning of an impending disaster offers valuable time for considering response options and making appropriate decisions. Key conclusions and recommendations from the workshop include the following: 1. Radios, particularly wind-up radios, can be an important means of disseminating early warnings and preparing for disasters. 2. The advantage of wind-up radios is that they can be used in remote areas without access to electricity. 3. There is a need to increase the distribution of wind-up radios to community leaders (for example, traditional and religious leaders, or teachers) in places prone to experiencing floods and cyclones. 4. Those who receive radios should receive clear instructions on their use and maintenance. 5. Newspaper and radio reporters should be technically trained in the fields of meteorology, hydrology, and disaster management so they can ensure better quality and accuracy of the early warning messages to be published or broadcast. 6. The technical agencies within the government (INAM, DNA, and INGC) should broadcast concise and clear early warning and disaster preparedness messages, preferably in local or vernacular languages. The FEWS NET/MIND project, sponsored by USAID Mozambique, has begun implementing some of the seminar's recommendations. The project will cooperate with the Mozambican Red Cross (CVM) to distribute 1,500 radios in cyclone- and flood-prone areas. Distribution already started last month in Zambezia Province. To help train newspapers and reporters who will be reporting on natural disasters, FEWS NET/MIND, in collaboration with SADC, has organized a group of Mozambican journalists to attend the Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum, meeting in Malawi, that will forecast rainfall for the next 6 months. Page 6

7 VULNERABILITY ACCESSMENT IN THE ALTO LIMPOPO ZONE REVEALS GOOD LEVELS OF FOOD SECURITY FEWS NET, through its technical and working group partner, Food Economy Group (FEG), the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, and WFP, conducted a food economy baseline study from July 25 to August 3 in the Alto (Upper) Limpopo Basin food economy zone (see map that adjusts the previous Gaza Province zoning of November 2000). The zone is semi-arid with erratic rains and seasonal rivers. The zone enjoys only a single agricultural season when multiple planting is done shortly after rainfall. About 82,000 people reside in this zone, based on 1997 census figures. The study aimed to identify people's means of access to food, Massangena Chigubo Chicualacuala Study Area Mabalane Massingi Guija Chibuto Chokwe Mandlakazi Bilene Xai-Xai Province of Gaza Upper Limpopo Semi Arid Remote Zone Limpopo River Complex Littoral Zone their sources of cash, and how they spend this cash. Agriculture is the main economic activity. Farmers normally have two fields: the main field is located in lower areas along the Limpopo River banks, and the other is located a long way from the river banks. Raising livestock and poultry is an equally important activity, particularly for the middle and rich households. Railroad Line Field data show that Alto Limpopo is a potentially good agricultural area where food security is guaranteed in a normal year from own production (see Figure below). The majority of the households do not buy food in a normal year; even the poor households are able to meet their food requirements through their own production. Because access to markets is not reliable, it becomes difficult for the households to sell their surpluses. PERCENT OF ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD FOOD NEEDS MET FROM OWN PRODUCTION Page 7

8 Therefore, households are rich in food but poor in cash. Poor households face difficulties in meeting their basic expenses health, education, matches, sugar, oil, soap, and salt equivalent to approximately 500,000 MZMT a year. The baseline study concluded that by enriching the soil, the 2000 floods were beneficial to the Alto Limpopo populations, since the majority of the households are still feeding themselves with the maize produced last year. The study made the following recommendations for implementation by the government and its development partners: 1) promote of the distribution of cassava cuttings (this crop is suitable to the climate and soils of this region); 2) promote market development as a way of making cash available to households; and 3) upgrade and maintain the railways to strengthen commercial transactions. Page 8