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Zimbabwe declares agriculture state of disaster due to drought

Xinhua, February 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe declared Friday a state of disaster for 2015-2016 agricultural season after an El Nino-induced drought left crops wilting, land wasted, and some 16,000 domestic animals dead across the country.

The declaration seeks to ensure that urgent priority will be given to the mobilization of relief supplies to alleviate the suffering of the most affected areas, according to a statement by the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.

Zimbabwe's rainy season generally lasts from November to March, with a prolonged dry spell in January. Yet this year, some parts of the country have not received adequate rainfall for planting.

Late planted crops have generally not performed well this year though rains have recently swept across most parts of the country. And in some areas, farmers did not plant crops because of unfavorable weather.

What's worse, many farmers have opened up their fields for their livestock to graze the crops.

By far, more than 95 percent of the farmers have received less than 75 percent of what they should have harvested, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, many farmers were also forced to sell their livestock at giveaway prices, with cattle sometimes sold for less than 50 U.S. dollars per head, no more than one third of the general price.

The Zimbabwean economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which generates 30 percent of export earnings and contributes 19 percent to the country's GDP. About 70 percent of the population still survive on farming and related industries.

The country needs 1.4 million tons of maize for consumption every year.

The government in January spent 260 million dollars to import 500,000 to 700,000 tons of maize to avert hunger and boost the country's strategic grain reserve.

The government last year appealed to its development partners and other stakeholders for at least 300 million dollars to procure food supplements following a poor 2014-2015 agricultural season. Enditem