Africa s drought crisis: Zimbabwe seeks solutions, Madagascar edges toward famine
As droughts worsen across Africa, troubling times lie ahead for many countries. But while Madagascar struggles to tackle a hunger crisis, Zimbabwe hopes its new sustainable strategy means it has left the worst behind.
Countries like Madagascar are now relying on food aid as the drought crisis escalates
Unprecedented levels of drought across many countries in Africa have left experts and humanitarian agencies fearing the worst.
As the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to push the continent to its limits, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned many countries may soon face famine as a result of drought.
AS DROUGHTS worsen across Africa, troubling times lie ahead for many countries.
But while Madagascar struggles to tackle a hunger crisis, Zimbabwe hopes its new sustainable strategy means it has left the worst behind.
Unprecedented levels of drought across many countries in Africa have left experts and humanitarian agencies fearing the worst.
As the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to push the continent to its limits, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned many countries may soon face famine as a result of drought.
Famine looms in Madagascar
Southern Madagascar is currently experiencing its worst hunger crisis in years, brought on by droughts and sandstorms that have turned many fields infertile. The situation is so dire that locusts which are ordinarily considered a crop pest have become a source of survival for many.
Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes could be gamechanger for Zimbabweâs farmers
Recently, Zimbabweâs Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement added the orange-fleshed sweet potato to the nationâs food basket. Some call this a giant step towards improving exports of sweet potatoes and livelihoods of farmers.
Improved livelihoods through the adoption and increased production of diversified crops is underpinned in the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan launched by President Mnangagwa last year. The plan is set to revitalize the agricultural sector in line with the vision of making Zimbabwe an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, John Basera, noted that the new variety will contribute to diversifying the food and nutrition system as well as improve income sources. This means that smallholder and communal farmers are tipped to benefit more through the adoption of the orange-fleshed sweet potato.