Africa-Press – Botswana. President Advocate Duma Boko, has declared 2024/2025 rainfall season a non-drought year.
The declaration follows consideration of the report presented as an outcome of the recently concluded Drought and Household Food Security Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis exercise.
A press release from the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, states that the season received normal to above-average precipitation across most regions of the country, with favourable spatial and temporal distribution.
It says major dams and river systems observed an increase in water levels whilst nationwide surface water availability and grazing conditions for livestock were reported as favourable.
However, arable agricultural production faced challenges due to the heavy rainfall received in February, which resulted in flooding, waterproofing, nutrient leaching and increased pest and weed infestations, states the release.
Despite the challenges, the release says the report indicated that there was a notable improvement in the crop production compared to the previous season.
The release says estimated cereal production for 2024/25 reached 117 228. 42 tonnes, fulfilling 39 per cent of the national cereal demand of 300 000 tonnes, compared to last season’s six per cent.
Although cereal production remained marginal, no agricultural drought was anticipated; however some households may experience food insecurity.
The release further states that government will however cushion vulnerable members of the community by implementing relief mitigation measures, assistance and actions immediately until June 30 next year.
Under local government ministry, they include, continued blanket coverage of supplementary feeding for children aged six to 59 months, provision of two meals at primary schools that include breakfast and midday meal and three meals for recognised settlements at Remote Area Communities.
The ministry will also continue to provide supplementary foods for other vulnerable groups such as TB out patients and medically selected, pregnant and lactating mothers from localities with high prevalence of malnutrition in children.
Furthermore, the release says provision of a special food basket to moderately and severely acutely malnourished children in localities with high prevalence of malnutrition (above 10 per cent) as a social protection measure will also be carried by the ministry.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Health will continue with a consistent supply of ready-to-use therapeutic foods for children with acute malnutrition.
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