FOOD SHORTAGES IN SWAZILAND: THE FACTS


Some 144,000 people will require food aid in Swaziland after a severe drop in agricultural production, a fall in the number of job opportunities and rising prices.

AGRICULTURAL CRISIS

• Erratic weather for second consecutive year, including a prolonged dry spell from December to February, severely affected crops during the flowering stage.
  
  From Sept-Oct, rainfall was normal; in November, it was higher than normal. However during the latter half of December, when the maize crop was flowering/tasselling, the rains tailed off.
  
  
• Production is 18 percent below last year's poor harvest and 37percent below the five-year average.
  
  
• An estimated 144,000 people in Lowveld, Middleveld and Lubombo Plateau need food assistance for six months, with an additional 87,000 for the three pre-harvest months.
  
  Highveld is only region where cereal production increased over last year, perhaps by 10 percent. Highveld and Middleveld are the two most populated and intensively cultivated zones.
  
  Lowveld was the worst hit by lack of rain, receiving only 21-24 percent of its long-term average from Feb-Mar. Some 50% of farmers will harvest nothing and production will be down 60% from 2000/1.
  
  
• In general, early-planted crops escaped the effects of the dry spell and produced good results.

A substantial percentage of the chronically poor and hungry households (will be) food insecure for a portion of the year.
FAO/WFP crop and food supply assessment mission, May 2002

Domestic cereal supply in 2002/2003 was estimated at 77,000 metric tonnes.
Compared to a total national consumption requirement of 188,000 tonnes, the import requirement is 111,000 tonnes.
Commercial imports are estimated at 96,000 tonnes and food aid at 17,720 tonnes.

• The Government has already allocated 1,500 tonnes of maize for distribution to the most vulnerable.
  
  
• Due to increased demand for a limited supply of maize available for export from South Africa, imports from outside the region may have to be considered.
  
  
• Swaziland is a net importer of maize, wheat and dairy products etc. Normally, some 60% of food consumed is imported.
  
  With exception of wheat, almost all imports come from South Africa.
  
  
• There is potential to produce irrigated maize before the sugar cane crop is planted. Some 2-3,000 hectares planted to maize could augment maize production by 10-15,000 MT.
  
  
• Fertilizers are no longer subsidized so farmers are less able to afford them.
  
  
• Hybrid seed use has gone down following government decision to stop providing free seeds to farmers.
  
  
• Small farmers own some 77 percent of the total cattle population.
  
  Pasture and livestock conditions were reasonable, with late rains helping to bring on a flush of grass; but this is only temporary. Drinking water availability in streams and dams has not improved.
  
  
• The prices of maize and wheat have continued to rise since October, and it is likely they will rise even further due to a decline in cereal production and increased competition for exportable supplies, mostly from South Africa and Mozambique.

HUMAN IMPACT

• Livestock sales are normally a coping mechanism of the last resort, as livestock are considered a long term investment.
  
  However, low income families are struggling with high cereal prices. Over the last four months, livestock prices have fallen by more than 30 percent in Lowveld, indicating poor people have started to sell their animals.
  

• The majority of rural people depend on cash income for survival and crop production is only one of many survival strategies.
  
  While insufficient to meet all food needs, agricultural activities provide a vital supplement to other food sources, as well as employment opportunities through odd jobs during harvest etc.
  
  As a result, the current crisis in agricultural production reduces employment and therefore cash opportunities. This is simultaneously forcing people to turn to the market for an increased proportion of their food needs, at a time when market prices have reached very high levels.
  
  
• School drop out rates for children of vulnerable households are increasing. School fees for a quarter session can feed a family for a month.
  
  
• The extremely high prevalence of HIV/AIDS (20-30 %) is significantly undermining food security, especially for families depending on remittances.