HARARE - The Famine Early Warning System and Network (FEWSNET) has said that the country cereal output will increase this season notwithstanding the high poverty levels which constrain the countrys poor ability to access to adequate food.FEWSNET, funded by the USA, said that although the countrys macroeconomic environment has improved high poverty levels still impede food security.
Staple cereals and other basic food stuffs continue to be generally available throughout the country and the coming harvest will improve this situation, with the exception of most parts of Masvingo, Manicaland, Matabeleland South, and Midlands provinces which suffered greatly from the prolonged dry spell that affected most of the country in February and March, said FEWSNET.
However, the agency warned that the country is likely to face food shortages in four provinces as a result of high poverty levels.
Despite the relatively stable macroeconomic environment and some economic growth experienced in the last two consecutive years that ensured stable food availability, poverty levels remain relatively high and low incomes and high levels of both unemployment and underemployment continue to constrain the ability of poor households to access adequate food, said FEWSNET.
This situation is likely to continue and some economic growth will occur in 2011. Household and market food stocks are likely to improve and the production from the 2010/11 seasons harvest is estimated to be around 1.5 million metric tons (MT), which is similar to last seasons harvest. The availability of staple cereals and other basic food stuffs is likely to remain stable in the 2011/12 consumption year.
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