Farmers in the Nacala-a-Velha district of Nampula are desperate for insufficient rainfall, which compromises the vegetative growth of crops in the field, a reality that can lead to pockets of hunger in the region.
Amina Muhamad, resident of the dam’s administrative post, where she exploits an area of two hectares, says that everything will depend on what happens in the coming months.
For Menragi Sumaila, 44, who is responsible for a family of eleven, the lack of rain makes her family desperate, living off the work on the three-hectare farm.
The peasants ask for the government’s support in providing seeds to replace those lost due to the severe drought.
The administrator of Nacala-a-Velha district, Abdurremane Selemane, recognizes the need to assist the peasants with seeds, but the quantities received from partners are not yet sufficient to meet the demand.
In fact, a first consignment of 10 tons of maize, which was used to help 2,000 families, and 200 kilograms of peanuts, which only affected 12 households, was allocated.
The lack of rain has led to the outbreak of locust pests, which are destroying the cassava crop, one of the few that still resists drought. To solve this problem, 300 litres of insecticide are needed, but so far only 40 have been available, used to spray the fields of 14 producers.
For the agricultural season2020/2021, the district has planned an area of 40,000 hectares, where it expects to harvest more than 250,000 tonnes of various crops. However, if the lack of rain continues until the end of this month, the targets will be compromised.
Abdurremane Selemane is concerned about the situation of the local population, which is a sign of pockets of hunger.
At the moment, according to the administrator, the population has reduced the number of daily meals. “People are eating, but not enough. Some families only spend one meal a day”, he lamented.
“We are not yet faced with hunger, but we do not have good prospects. If the lack of rain prevails we may have problems”, he said.
