Carryover stocks ease concerns over Zambia’s lower maize crop
Zambia’s 2022/23 maize harvest is expected to be 25,2% lower than last year’s. The crop has been forecast at 2,7 million tons, compared with 3,62 million tons recorded in 2021/2022.
Zimbabwe sells record of 261 million kilograms of tobacco
Zimbabwe has recorded its best tobacco season yet on record, having sold at least 261 million kilograms so far in the 2023 marketing season.
Zimbabwean exemption permits extended again
-Holders of Zimbabwean exemption permits have been urged to get their visas in order if they want to stay in South Africa after December.
US aid strengthens Zimbabwe’s food security
The US$8,7 million (about R169 million) that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently contributed to the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) in Zimbabwe came at a perilous time in that country, the WFP said in a statement.
Outbreak of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Namibia
Namibia has declared an outbreak of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Gobabis, after someone died of the disease in a hospital in Windhoek.
Water harvesting being promoted in Zambia
Climate change challenges have taken a toll on Zambia’s bumper harvests of recent years, prompting authorities to consider initiating countervailing measures to ensure sustained food security.
Zambia fights damaging cassava root rot outbreak
This virus threatens to cause widespread hunger as it devastates cassava plantations in Zambia.
‘Fair compensation needed to mitigate crop damage caused by wildlife’
Small-scale crop farmers in the Zambezi region of Namibia recently called on the Namibian government to compensate them for the actual value of crops destroyed by wildlife such as elephants and hippos.
Severe drought in Namibia a cause for concern
A major part of Namibia is experiencing an acute drought, with the situation particularly serious south of the capital, Windhoek, with little or no rain received during the 2022/23 rainy season. According to Thinus Pretorius, chairperson of Namibia’s Livestock Producers’ Organisation, some parts south of Keetmanshoop had not received any rain.
Despite easing, Zim’s food price inflation remains highest in the world
Food price pressures that have beset Zimbabwe have persisted, giving the Southern African country the unenviable position of having the world’s worst inflation, despite some slight moderation, a recent report by the World Bank showed.
Beware of deregistered stud breeders, says Namibian Meat Board
The Namibian Meat Board (NMB) recently issued a warning to livestock buyers in Namibia to beware of buying animals from stud breeders who have been deregistered and are no longer allowed to sell their animals as such.
Namibian mutton and lamb exports on the increase
Since its reopening in the second half of 2022, the Farmers’ Meat Market export abattoir in Mariental, Namibia, has processed payment of R10,9 m, excluding VAT, to 46 sheep producers in that country.
