Decrease in estimated maize production in South Africa in 2001 / 02

Introduction: this month, according to the latest planting area information and the bad weather of this season, several countries in South Africa adjusted their corn production estimates for 2001 / 02 downward In several countries affected by severe weather, grain stocks have been very low and prices have skyrocketed accordingly Southern Africa will provide adequate food support to vulnerable people in the region, such as refugees, urban workers and former farm workers, as well as hard to earn a living farmers Zimbabwe's corn harvest in 2001 / 02 is estimated to be only 500000 tons, 66% lower than last year's poor output, the lowest since 1991 / 92 Many factors have led to Zimbabwe's disastrous harvest this year: seasonal rainfall in many food producing areas has dropped by 75%, agricultural inputs (fertilizer, oil, irrigation water) are either too expensive, or simply not available, vulnerable commercial farms cannot produce, and serious economic and political problems have damaged agricultural production factors Zambia's corn production in 2001 / 02 is estimated at 620000 tons, a decrease of 23% over last year, the lowest since 1997 / 98 Zambia has suffered from severe drought for three years in a row Corn production in other countries except South Africa continued to decline in 2001 / 02 and has been down this month Malawi's corn production fell by 10% Swaziland dropped by 7%, Lesotho by 40%, and Botswana by 15% In comparison, South Africa's corn production increased by 17% in 2001 / 02, estimated at 8.8 million tons, due to good weather and the growth of sown area However, this still cannot offset the overall food shortage in the region (author:) share to feed Weibo share to: