Khama declares drought

Correspondent | Friday June 26, 2015 15:30

 

1. Following the Drought and Household Food Security Outlook conducted from the 23rd March to 10th April 2015, findings of the assessment indicate that there was a significant decline in the rainfall distribution. This was coupled with scorching heat wave resulting in low hectorage ploughed/planted. The yield forecast for 2014/15 has drastically declined with the national estimated production for cereals standing at 7 382 metric tons (mt) which is 3% of the national cereal requirement of 300 000mt.

2. The available grazing and water will not sustain livestock until the next rainy season as a result of the poor rainfall received and dry spell experienced.

3. Water levels were observed to be relatively low in catchment areas for the Okavango, Chobe-Zambezi, Ngotwane, and Limpopo rivers, as compared to the year 2013/2014. This has resulted in reduced inflows into the dams and recharge into well-fields.

4. Overall, nutrition status of children aged 0 - 59 months is improving across the health districts. However, malnutrition levels in some areas are still higher than the 3% national target for total malnutrition.

5. Wildlife, rangeland and water conditions have declined as compared to the year 2013/14.

6. Although most districts received normal to below normal rainfall, there is abundance of biomass produced in the year 2013/14. Therefore, high number of fire outbreaks is anticipated.

7. In view of the above, His Excellency the President has declared that the whole country is drought stricken and that the following relief measures and actions be adopted for the period 1st July 2015 to 30th June 2016;

a. That Government, through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning pays 85% of the 2014/15 seasonal loans to farmers eligible under the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS) who secured their loans through Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) and National Development Bank (NDB);

b. That Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture provides a 25% subsidy to farmers on the following items purchased through the Livestock Advisory Centres (LACs) and Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board for the following interventions; 

* 50 Kg Di-Calcium Phosphate

* 50 Kg Drought Pellets

* 30 Kg Bran

* 50 Kg Coarse salt

* 30 kg Lucerne/ Lab Lab/ Maize / Sorghum stalk bales

* 50 kg Dairy Meal

c. That Government, through the Ministry of Minerals Energy and Water Resources to provide funds for emergency water supply projects to augment the human current water supply situation;

d. That Government, through Ministry of Environment Wildlife and Tourism (MEWT) will utilize funds available from its current budget for  construction and maintenance of firebreaks in Kgalagadi, Ghanzi, Kweneng, Ngamiland and Central Districts as well as, maintenance of fences at Dithopo Game Ranch, Kalahari Trans Frontier Park, Khutse Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi and Tuli Backline and further that the Ministries of Finance and Development Planning and Environment, Wildlife and Tourism avail funds for procurement of trucks to be used in veldt fire management and control;

e. That Government, through Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development should;

i. Provide a Second Meal at primary schools in RAD Settlements and in the Okavango;

ii. Provide double food ration for Vulnerable Groups (Under 5, 5-6 Years, TB Outpatients, Lactating and Expectant mothers) countrywide.

f. That Government, through the Ministry of Health should;

i. provide direct feeding to children (0-59 months) who are moderately malnourished and continue to provide ready to use therapeutic foods for severely malnourished children;

ii. Step up nutritional surveillance, including monthly review of the nutritional situational situation to, amongst others, determine the need or otherwise for further Government intervention.

 

Halakangwa Mbulai

Acting Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development