22 Jul 2013

Government has declared 2013/14 a drought year following the Drought Assessment Tour Exerise conducted from the April 15 to May 7.

The exercise revealed that rainfall was poorly distributed and much below normal in most parts of the country thus government concluded that that the overall food situation in the country has deteriorated and has approved that the whole country be declared drought stricken.

A press release from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development says although the area planted was highest (348 820 ha. at the time of the assessment) as compared to last year (345 000 ha.), the long dry spells between rainfall and the high rate of moisture loss due to above normal temperature, resulted in very poor crop conditions. As such, total cereal production estimates are very low and this will negatively affect household food security.

The release also states that the grazing, water and livestock conditions at the time of assessment, ranged from fair to good countrywide, hence by and large, grazing in most parts of the country was fair.

Generally the grasses had not reached maturity and some were already wilting due to moisture stress and therefore the range condition is expected to deteriorate rapidly as the dry season progresses, necessitating feed supplementation. Furthermore, drought related mortalities have been reported, especially in Bobirwa.

“The overall situation in terms of nutritional indicators of children under the age of five has regressed whilst the incidence of destitution is anticipated to increase,” the release says.

In addition, it is feared that the anticipated poor harvests would be a source of extreme vulnerability in the nutritional status of these populations, especially young children.

In addition, the release states that the human water supply is generally low, especially the southern part of the country supplied from Gaborone Dam, which is facing a precarious situation due to the dam’s low water volume.

Based on the conclusion drawn from the said factors, the release says the whole country is experiencing a meteriological and agricultural drought while the southern part of the country is also experiencing hydrological drought due to low water volumes in the major southern dams.

The drought is envisaged to be severe enough in terms of both its effects and coverage to adversely affect human livelihood, and Batswana, with agro-based livelihoods are expected to suffer income losses and asset depletion, especially noting the anticipated drought related livestock mortality.

This, the release states, is expected to also impact and threaten the nutritional status of the population, the release says.

“The current drought will yield poor harvests, shortage of seeds, and impaired purchasing power at the household level.  The sum of these factors will adversely affect recovery in 2014, therefore government intervention is required.”

It further states that in view of the described drought conditions, relief measures and actions will be implemented at a total cost of P217 510 465 for the period July 1 to April 30, 2014.

The Ministry of Agriculture will provide 35 per cent drought relief subsidy on selected livestock feeds and supplements for Ngamiland and Bobirwa, and 25 per cent for the rest of the country.

Products to be subsidized are 50kg drought pellets, 50kg coarse salt, vitamins A, D and E 100ml, Di-Calcium phosphate, molasses and roughage/bran.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) will provide second meal for primary schools and double ration supply coverage for health facilities at targeted and hard hit areas which include Ngamiland District, Ghanzi , Kgalagadi , Southern and Central District be implemented until the end of 2013/14 financial year.

MLGRD will also provide for temporary destitutes and vulnerable groups under 5s, 5-6years, TB out patients, lactating and expectant mothers during the drought period.

The Ministry will also increase Ipelegeng quota at districts with high levels of poverty and expedite maintenance of food storage facilities through the normal maintenance budget.

The Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism is to drill, equip and clean wildlife relief boreholes in protected and Wildlife Management Areas.

The release says the effective date of implementation of the relief measures and actions be July 1, 2013. ENDS