The latest food security update released
by the Swaziland National Early Warning Unit for Food Security has revealed
that at least 133,500 tonnes of cereals have to be imported to cover the
domestic shortfall.
According to the report, the total cereal
requirement for 2002/03 stands at 205,800 tonnes, while only 72,300 tonnes
are available.
Due to below average rainfall in most of the country, prospects of good harvests were completely shattered.
World Vision's Khuphuka Garden Scheme in Lubombo ADP is suffering from the drought. Close to 135 community members benefit from this scheme where they plant, harvest and sell crops. The return is divided amongst the members and an amount is spent on more seed and fertilisers.
According to Jimson Matfonsi (63), father and grandfather of many, only 19 bags of 50 kg maize were harvested from Khuphuka this season. The return on selling the bags of maize at around E85 (US$ 8) per bag will not be enough to keep the members going until the next season.
"In the past years we were able to harvest at least 30 to 35 bags," he says.
In spite of this set-back, Jimson is planning to start planting winter crops such as spinach, lettuce, and beetroot on his plot. "I do not specialise in maize alone, but I also do a little bit of subsistence farming, in order to provide my family with a nutritious diet," he explains.
Jimson concludes: "Life was difficult before I joined the garden scheme, but now I am able to get some money and food."