As Botswana continues to pick up the pieces after torrential rains in February caused floods, the Crop Monitor for Early Warning report has issued a warning about the risk of a food crisis, cautioning that the country may run out of grains. The report comes as Botswana continues to assess the damage and clean up following severe floods.
The report notes that while harvesting of main season cereals is just beginning in Southern Africa, “torrential rains and flooding are now impacting several areas,” adding that “the rains have also contributed to the proliferation of pests and diseases. African Armyworm are present across parts of Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa.”
The report has raised concerns that Botswana could face the same devastation as the 2000 floods, which generated an 8% grain deficit in the country, implying that cereal production fell to levels seen during drought periods.
The report also notes that the heavy rains had a positive side as it resulted in improved rangeland and availability of water and pasture for people, livestock and wildlife countrywide.
“In Botswana and central and southern Zimbabwe, persistent rain received from December 2024 has resulted in saturated soils and flooding from early to mid-February. However, growing conditions remain favourable as the rains benefitted many previously dry areas, alleviating moisture deficits and replenishing water resources,” states the report.
