Namibia needs food assistance
Namibian among 46 countries needing help
The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) estimate that about 750 000 Namibians were severely food insecure between December last year and March 2022.
The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has found that 46 countries globally, including Namibia, are in need of external assistance for food.
In its latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation report, the FAO said that rising food prices and overall inflation across the globe are worsening food security conditions, particularly in low-income, food-deficit countries, while the use of agricultural inputs could be limited by their elevated prices, possibly lowering yields and harvests in 2022.
The organisation said that Namibia experienced localised shortfalls in staple food production and an economic downturn.
The organisation stated that around 750 000 Namibians were estimated to be severely food insecure, falling within the IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) acute food insecurity classification between December last year and March 2022.
Limited hope
It further noted that cereal production has increased this year and is expected to have a positive impact on food security. However, rising prices of basic foods are likely to limit a more substantial improvement.
According to the report, an above-average harvest is also estimated for Namibia.
“Reflecting on the import dependence of Botswana, Eswatini and Namibia for wheat and the elevated international prices, domestic prices of wheat flour were close to or at all-time highs in April.”
The report said that nominal prices of maize meal were also at elevated levels. Still, price rises in 2022 have been more subdued as these countries are less dependent on imports of maize in consideration that their domestic harvests cover a larger proportion of national supplies.
In its latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation report, the FAO said that rising food prices and overall inflation across the globe are worsening food security conditions, particularly in low-income, food-deficit countries, while the use of agricultural inputs could be limited by their elevated prices, possibly lowering yields and harvests in 2022.
The organisation said that Namibia experienced localised shortfalls in staple food production and an economic downturn.
The organisation stated that around 750 000 Namibians were estimated to be severely food insecure, falling within the IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) acute food insecurity classification between December last year and March 2022.
Limited hope
It further noted that cereal production has increased this year and is expected to have a positive impact on food security. However, rising prices of basic foods are likely to limit a more substantial improvement.
According to the report, an above-average harvest is also estimated for Namibia.
“Reflecting on the import dependence of Botswana, Eswatini and Namibia for wheat and the elevated international prices, domestic prices of wheat flour were close to or at all-time highs in April.”
The report said that nominal prices of maize meal were also at elevated levels. Still, price rises in 2022 have been more subdued as these countries are less dependent on imports of maize in consideration that their domestic harvests cover a larger proportion of national supplies.
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