The late and varied pattern of rain is negatively affecting crop growth in Angola, report notes
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Green harvests are expected to be slightly below average in Angola, according to an analysis by the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET), a leading provider of early warning and analysis on acute food insecurity. Located in southwestern Africa, Angola is exposed to various risks related to climate change.
According to the analysis, the late and varied pattern of rainfall has hurt crop growth in Angola. Due to a delayed start of the rainfall season, followed by insufficient rainfall, there is now an abnormal dryness across central and eastern Angola.
In Angola, the main harvest especially depends on rainfall from February to April. The January-February green harvest in southern Angola has been relatively poor due to late planting and poor seed quality.
Most smallholder farmers in the south of Angola planted late due to the delayed rainfall season. In eastern Huila, southwest Cunene and western Cuando Cubango, a significant proportion of farmers either have stunting crops or are just starting to till the land, according to the report.
As the agricultural season gets underway in much of central and southern Angola, early-season rainfall deficits are negatively impacting planting and seed germination. As of November 20, 2023, less than 100 mm of rainfall have been received across the south of the country, corresponding to a deficit of around 10-50 mm. The deficits of 25-50 mm are most concerning in Huila, Cunene and the western half of Cuando Cubango, where agricultural production is relatively higher.
The green harvests in select areas of Cuando Cubango and Cunene are also below average as a result of heavy rains, which caused localised flooding of river valley bottoms that were planted during the delayed start of the season.
Heavy rainfall continuing across the southern Congo River basin and northwestern Angola has resulted in high river levels.
The two provinces, Huambo and Bie, which produce 45 per cent of Angola's maize, may have below-average maize harvest, the analysts estimated. Rainfall in these areas was approximately 100 mm less than average in January 2024.
The Water Requirement Satisfaction Index for maize suggests conditions are currently good for a favourable harvest, though this will depend on rainfall from February-April 2024, which is forecast to be lower than average.
A reduced main harvest will push up food prices in these provinces, noted the analysis. The households in these areas are expected to still experience ‘crisis’ outcomes until the main harvests begin in May 2024, at which point such households are expected to experience ‘stressed’ outcomes. With a score of 25.9 in the 2023 Global Hunger Index, Angola has a level of hunger that is serious.
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