Article

2003-12-24 Africa: Southern

Food Agency Cuts Zimbabwe Rations and Warns of Shortages

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Posted by Fred Pruitt 2003-12-24 00:22|| || Front Page|| [5 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 This is the worst news. A growing season coming up and little hope for a harvest sufficient to feed the population, then cuts in aid.

Our little pool on the coming, inevitable Zimbabwe famine is be expiring early, maybe November?

Posted by badanov 2003-12-24 1:38:00 AM|| [http://www.rkka.org] 2003-12-24 1:38:00 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 This is criminal. It's obscene to see the way that Zimbabwe has been raped by this man. Just a few grams of lead would have saved the situation too...

This URL gives a fairly recent assessment of the situation
http://www.justiceforagriculture.com/food.shtml

"As a representative of the agricultural sector and hence of the growers in what was known as the "food basket of Southern Africa", it is particularly frustrating to see Zimbabwe well past the brink of starvation."

Whereas this URL is more quantitative and shows what the situation was in 1997.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/w7050e/ctry/af971147.htm

"The 1997 cereal production is estimated at 2.7 million tons, compared to 3.1 million tons in 1996. The maize crop amounts to 2.2 million tons, 16 percent lower than last yearâs good harvest but slightly above average. The output of millet and sorghum is estimated at about 220 000 tons, about the same as the above-average crop in 1996.

The national food supply situation is expected to remain satisfactory during the 1997/98 marketing year. Maize supply is expected to cover requirements, including the replenishment of stocks, and to leave an exportable surplus."

Compare and contrast with 2001 (the latest data available at this site)....
http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/y2916e/Ctry/AF011247.htm

"As a result of the sharp decline in production and severe shortage of foreign exchange, the food supply situation is increasingly tight. The Grain Marketing Board has announced tenders to import 150Â 000 tonnes of maize. Prices of basic food staples, which had increased more than 300 percent from June to August, stabilized or declined after the Government ordered on 12 October price cuts of 5 to 20 percent for maize meal - the basic staple - and bread, meat, vegetables, milk, cooking oil and salt. However, many of the products were unavailable on the markets in the second half of the month. "

Posted by Tony (UK) 2003-12-24 5:09:04 AM|| 2003-12-24 5:09:04 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 Food Agency Cuts Zimbabwe Rations and Warns of Shortages

Yes. That's what happens when... you cut back on the food rations!
Another double sawbuck on Zimbabwe please...

Posted by tu3031 2003-12-24 8:55:33 AM|| 2003-12-24 8:55:33 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 Looks like there'll be US beef on the export market, but doubtful Zimbobs could afford to buy much at any price ranchers will be able to sell. Not with Bob ~~wasting~~ investing, what, $4G foreign exchange into Internet ~~Stalinist censorship~~ security.

Posted by Glenn (not Reynolds) 2003-12-24 9:03:42 AM|| 2003-12-24 9:03:42 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 A modest proposal:
http://art-bin.com/art/omodest.html

Posted by Brian 2003-12-24 4:29:49 PM|| 2003-12-24 4:29:49 PM|| Front Page Top

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