Food Security Update: June 20, 2001

Highlights q On June 8, the National Directorate of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (DINA/MADER) released the second-round crop production estimates for the first season (September/October-April/May). These estimates indicate a substantial increase in 2000/01 in the production of maize, sorghum, millet, paddy rice, beans, shelled peanuts, and cassava. The total production of food crops for the first season this year will reach 1,685,596 MT, compared to 1,019,003 MT last year. q The joint Crop and Food Availability Evaluation Mission held from May 21-28 in Mozambique estimated a production increase in 2000/01 over the comparable period in 1999/2000 in the districts visited. Government, WFP, FAO, AEDES, FEWS NET, and Regional Early Warning Unit (SADC/REWU) officials collected information in 38 districts representing deficit- and surplus-producing districts as well as flood-affected and nonflood- affected districts. In terms of food availability, general food security in the country improved substantially during the 2000/01 production year. q On the basis of flood pledges, there is enough food to ensure distribution to approximately 235,000 flood-affected people for the next 3 months. WFP has already distributed 3,000 MT of food for consumption by the end of June. WFP expects to purchase 7,000 MT of food from inside Mozambique for distribution to the flood-affected populations. q WFP will use the Food Fund to distribute food to chronically food insecure communities in Chicualacuala, Mabalane, Manjacaze, and Massingir Districts (); Marracuene, Magude, Moamba, and Matutuine Districts ( Province); and Govuro and Mabote Districts (). q Public discussion of the draft Natural Disaster Management Bill is in progress. Lawmakers have carried out regional hearings in the Northern, Central, and Southern Regions with a view to obtain a wide variety of views and suggestions from civil society, including NGOs, municipalities, and religious organisations. According to the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC), these contributions shall be incorporated into the Draft Bill for submission to the Council of Ministers. q Maize, cowpeas, butter bean, and rice retail prices have dropped in various national markets, by as much as 43 percent (Beira). This price decline is mainly due to the better availability of supplies in the markets following end of the harvest of the first-season crops in May.

The Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) is funded by USAID And managed by Chemonics International, Inc.

FEWS NET Mozambique · Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development· National Directorate of Agriculture PO Box 1406 · Maputo, Mozambique Telephone: (258-1) 460008/460195/460588 · Facsimile: (258-1) 460588 · E-Mail: [email protected] MADER RELEASES SECOND-ROUND AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION ESTIMATES

The Early Warning Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (DAP/MADER) released the second-round agriculture production estimates on June 8. According to DAP/MADER, production of maize, sorghum, millet, paddy rice, beans, shelled peanuts, and cassava) increased substantially in 2000/01 to 1,685,596 MT, compared with 1,019,033 MT in 1999/2000.

Cassava is expected to achieve the highest rate of increase of 11 percent, followed by and beans. The increase in food production is due to a 7 percent increase in area planted (from 3,734,360 Ha in 1999/00 to 3,992,348 Ha in 2000/01) and a 10 percent increase in harvested areas (from 1,084,153 Ha in 1999/00 to 1,193,293 Ha in 2000/01). However, of the total area planted, only one-third has been harvested. The discepancy between the reported area cultivated and area harvested should be investigated to better understand the reasons for these annual food production losses.

In some parts of the country, excessive rainfall or drought has led to reduced maize and bean crop production. For example, maize crops were affected by above-normal or torrential rains in Niassa and Nampula Provinces, by floods in , and by drought in Inhambane, Gaza, and Maputo Provinces. Bean crop production decreased mainly due to drought in Inhambane and Gaza Provinces.

FIELD STUDIES REVEAL THAT FOOD PRODUCTION IN THE FIRST SEASON 2000/01 IS HIGHER THAN PRODUCTION IN 1999/2000

On May 21-28, a Joint Evaluation Mission comprising the Government of Mozambique and WFP on Crop and Food Availability Evaluation visited 38 districts in the country (see map). Participants in this mission included officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Health, National Institute of Disaster Management, World Vision, the Regional Early Warning Unit (SADC/REWU), Agence Européene pour le Développment et la Santé (AEDES), and FEWS NET. The purpose of the mission was to carry out a multidisciplinary analysis of the effect of climate conditions on crop development, adjust data of the first-round production estimates, analyse the availability of seeds and agricultural tools and food, and provide final information on food production. The evaluation mission relied on “Rural Rapid Appraisal” methods to interview key informants in agriculture, commerce, health, INGC, NGOs, traders, and farmers. To obtain the broadest and most accurate and representative information, the mission selected deficit- and surplus-producing districts as well as those affected and unaffected by natural disasters in terms of access.

Mozambique FEWS NET Food Security Update, 20 May 2001 Page 2 Field results revealed that the overall production in the 2000/01production year is higher than production in the comparable period in 1999/2000. These production increases are mainly due to the increase of planted and harvested areas in 2000/01 in comparison with 1999/2000. Drought in the Southern Region had a negative impact on maize and bean crops but it did not affect cassava crops, which are drought tolerant. Flooding had a negative impact on crops along the Zambezi River banks in Caia and Marromeu Districts (), Mopeia, Morrumbala Districts (Zambézia Province), Mutarara, Changara, and Mágue Districts (Tete Province), and Tambara District (). Damage caused by heavy rains was observed in Nampula, Cabo Delgado, and Niassa Provinces. Due to excessive moisture, the Northern Region has reported a higher incidence of some pests (snails), increases in rotten cassava roots, and increasing yellowing of palm trees, especially in Nampula.

In 2000/01 there has been a substantial increase in livestock that will have a positive impact on food security of farming households. As a result of the increase, farm households will enjoy dietary improvement, additional income generation, and a possible increase in cultivated land using animal traction.

Mozambique FEWS NET Food Security Update, 20 May 2001 Page 3 For the most part, agricultural marketing is carried out by informal traders who travel about 20-40 km by bicycle, particularly into remote rural areas, to purchase crops from producers. Tertiary roads have deteriorated significantly in Central and Northern Regions due to erosion worsened by heavy rains and floods in 2001. Under these conditions of difficult access and small transactions, purchase prices are usually extremely low. The field mission observed that in various districts of the Central and Northern Regions, maize and beans prices dropped dramatically in May 2001 due to the increase in food availability.

Food security has improved substantially in the country due to the increase of available food. In general terms during this post-harvest period, families consume three daily meals. However, district and provincial nutritionists of the Ministry of Health report cases of malnutrition in some districts of the Central and Northern Regions.

The population resettlement program is progressing smoothly in the Central Region. The Evaluation Mission urges that food distribution be continued for at least 235,000 flood-affected people until the second-season crops are ready for harvesting in July/August. The production of second-season crops (particularly maize, vegetables, and butter beans) will make a vital contribution of approximately 10-20 percent to food reserves of farm families.

Recommendations by the Evaluation Mission:

In the area of logistics, the following needs were identified:

1. Involve a larger number of field officers at the provincial and/or district leveland fewer officers at the national level. This will allow for better insights into local conditions and a reduction of transport costs. 2. Define more representative selection criteria for determining which districts to visit in the different agro-ecological zones of the country. 3. Improve interinstitutional co-ordination. This will allow for the improved management of logistics and funds.

The following Intervention Priorities are recommended:

1. During the next two months, the WFP should carry out free food distribution only in flood- affected districts such as Caia, Marromeu, Maunza, and Chemba Districts (Sofala Province); Changara, Mutarara, Mágue, and Zumbo Districts (Tete); Tambara and Sussudenga Districts (Manica); and Morrumbala, Mopeia, and Chinde Districts (Zambézia). 2. The Government of Mozambique should prioritize the rehabilitation of access roads, particularly in the Central and Northern Regions. 3. WFP, through the Food Fund, should continue to distribute food in the form of food-for- work activities in chronically food insecure areas such as Marracuene, Magude, Moamba, and Matutuine Districts (Maputo); Chicualacuala, Manjacaze, Massingir, and Mabalane Districts (Gaza); and Govuro and Mabote Districts (Inhambane). 4. The WPF should update the national Contingency Plan for the rainy season 2001/02 starting in September/October.

Mozambique FEWS NET Food Security Update, 20 May 2001 Page 4 POST-FLOOD RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM MES MAKING GOOD PROGRESS

The Government of Mozambique is preparing the Post Flood Reconstruction Programme Report 2001, which will be presented at the donor conference in June 2001. The purpose of the Report is to: 1) define policies and a programs to help normalize the social and economic life of the flood-affected populations (approximately 235,000 inhabitants); 2) construct protection embankments and drainage channels to minimize future disasters caused by floods; 3) strengthen institutional capacities for timely warning on natural disasters; 4) improve contingency plans, and 5) strengthen communication channels and dissemination of early warning information. Financial needs for the implementation of reconstruction work are estimated at approximately US$125 million.

SUFFICENT FOOD FOR FLOOD VICTIMS HAS BEEN GUARANTEED FOR THE NEXT 3 MONTHS

Sufficient food supplies will maintain Post-Flood Conference postponed to June 2001 the food security of approximately 235,000 people affected by the 2001 The 2001 Post Flood Conference had been floods in the Zambeze valley, according scheduled for late May. However, INGC now to the National Institute for Disaster indicates that the Conference shall occur later in Management (INGC). There is June or early in July. The INGC cites the following approximately 3,000 MT of food reasons for postponing the conference: the need to available until the end of June (the finalise the report on Post Flood Reconstruction average monthly consumption is 3,000 2001, and the need to finalise the Expenditure MT of food for 235,000 people). WFP Report on the Infrastructure Rehabilitation is buying approximately 7,000 MT of Programme related to the reconstruction of food, especially maize, in Nampula and infrastructure damaged by the floods in 2000. Tete Provinces. INGC will receive International donors, local and international NGOs approximately 11,000 MT of food and the Government will attend this conference. staples donated by Japan next week.

DISCUSSIONS OF THE DRAFT BILL ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT

From the last week of May until the first week of June, Members of Parliament carried out regional hearings (May 31 in Nampula for the Northern zone, June 1 at Beira for the central zone, and June 7 at Bilene for the Southern zone) for the purpose of consulting with civil society groups and other partners regarding their suggestions and comments on the Draft Bill on Natural Disasters Management.

Provincial governors, Government officials, municipalities, NGOs, religious organizations, and civil society groups participated in the discussions that led to agreement to modify the Draft Bill to accommodate relevant recommendations ensuing from the seminars. According to INGC, the Bill will be submitted to the Council of Ministers in late July for approval.

Mozambique FEWS NET Food Security Update, 20 May 2001 Page 5 MOST MARKETS REPORT A DROP IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT PRICES

Retail prices of maize, cowpea, dry beans, and rice dropped in various markets between March and April 2001 due to the increase of food availability in this post-harvest period.

In April, retail prices of maize — an important basic food in Mozambique —dropped. The map shows that retail maize prices held steady (in Maputo) or dropped by as much as 43 percent (Beira). The maize retail price was lowest (914 MZMT/kg) in Pemba market and highest (2,577 MZMT/kg) in Maputo in April 2001. This has two implications for the food security of households. First, rural producer households in Pemba get less money per kilo of maize sold although their production costs are also lower, whereas rural producer households in Maputo get paid more. However, currently some producers in Pemba are storing their maize to sell it later (between December and February) when prices are higher. Second, consumer households in Pemba are facing lower prices and can improve their food security while in Maputo they purchase less maize for the same expenditure. Nevertheless, data from SIMA/DEA indicates that retail prices of maize in Maputo in April 2000 and April 2001 decreased by 30 percent (from 3,250 MZMT in April 2000 to 2,266 MZMT in April 2001); thus, consumers were still experiencing lower prices in April this year than in the same period in the last year. On the other hand, SIMA/DEA has noticed that Xai-Xai was the only market where retail maize prices increased between March and April, by a modest 5 percent. Rural farm households in Xai-Xai are earning slightly more cash income, which is key for meeting typical household expeditures (school and health bills, clothes, matches, soap, salt, sugar, tea, oil, and kerosene).

Mozambique FEWS NET Food Security Update, 20 May 2001 Page 6