A preliminary assessment carried out by the Namibia Early Warning and Food Information System (Newfis) in the Caprivi Region said the cereal deficit in the Caprivi Region has "worsened" to about 7 311 tonnes.

The report said the majority of households have depleted the crop harvest in less than four months since April-May.

"This suggests a marked decline in food security prospects from last season when the production was about 3 800 tonnes compared to about 2 930 tonnes estimated this season.

The crisis stems from a complex mix of bad weather, reduced area under cultivation, crop destruction by wildlife and the inadequate farm inputs," the report said.

It added that farmers had already depleted the April/May crop harvest "with households now depending from collection of wild fruits, fish, conducting piece work, as well as selling items such as grass for thatching".

To add to the already prevailing food crisis in Caprivi Region was the apparent mass roaming of wild animals especially elephants and buffaloes from neighbouring Botswana.

The elephants usually destroy the crops during the vegetative stage and force farmers to re-plough and re-plant their fields.

The report said the the poor condition of oxen was set to delay the start of the 2003/04 cropping season.

Caprivi has a population of about 81 928 and the annual cereal consumption was forecast at 10 241 tonnes while the actual production was estimated at 2 930 tonnes, giving a shortfall of 7 311 tonnes.

The report was based on information supplied by the Directorate of Extension and Engineering Services especially information from the agricultural extension technicians at various Agricultural Development Centres in the Caprivi Region.

Also, information was obtained from the Likwama Farmers Co-operatives, Kamunu Supermarket in Katima Mulilo, Emergency Management Unit, village headmen, as well as several households visited.

The report said the total cereal shortfall of about 7 311 tonnes required to carry households through to the next harvest was expected to be covered by the Government's flood victims aid as well as during the next drought aid scheme.

In Western Caprivi, even though some fields were apparently destroyed by wild animals during last season, no assistance of any kind was received by the victims.

The report said that during the entire drought relief programme (from November 2002 through June 2003), food relief was only received twice in that part of the Caprivi Region, once in December 2002 and in February 2003.

In Eastern Caprivi, substantial crop losses occurred mainly due to drought while disastrous flooding aggravated the food situation.

Flood waters in Eastern Caprivi have already subsided, with land preparations anticipated to commence around August/September 2003.

Newfis said Government was set to deliver about 90 tonnes of maize seed and 10 tonnes of sorghum seed.

Earlier, about 30 tonnes of maize seed and 10 tonnes of sorghum seed was dropped off at Katima Mulilo.

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