Agriculture Ministry calls for national drought emergency

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has advised the government to declare a national drought emergency following its assessment of crop prospects and food security. According to Nampa, the recommendation was made after monitoring the situation in the seven major northern communal crop-producing regions from 12 February to 11 March 2024. Executive Director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata highlighted significant distress grazing in the southern, western, and eastern parts of the country.

Separately, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research says the 2023/24 El Niño weather pattern is one of the top five strongest on record. El Niño-related climate patterns are characterised by above-average temperatures and below-normal rainfall during the November to April season. El Niño has also led to reductions in maize and soybean production.