| Southern Lesotho Hard Hit by Drought, Monts'i | |
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Agricultural recovery programmes in which government, non governmental
organizations and other donors provide open-pollinated seeds, rather that
hybrids could help alleviate the food crisis facing the country, according
to the World Vision's Food Security Manager, Mr Ratlala Monts'i .
The Christian charity organisation believes that this is a medium-term remedy in view of the fragile food security situation facing the country. Southern Lesotho is likely to face poorer harvests than the northern parts because of the recent adverse weather conditions that obtained in the former region. Seventy percent of arable land was not planted in the southern part of the country because it was the most drought-hit. A bad harvest should therefore be expected, the Food Security Manager said. The highlands, on the other hand, received some fair rains this agricultural year, indicating fair harvest prospects, while the northern lowland parts of Lesotho received consistent rainfalls which dwindled towards the end of December 2004 and January 2005. Mr. Monts'i believes measures
to cushion the effects of the impending crisis should include the north
helping out by selling crops to the south. Foreign aid remained an option. 14 January 2005 |
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| source: LENA |