Crop season characterized by aborted start to late rains in the Great Horn of Agrica: Report
Kigali, Rwanda (PANA) - Crop season in July 2019 was characterized by an aborted start due to late rains in parts of the region which led to a delay in planting and replanting in major parts across the Great Horn of Africa, an official report released Wednesday said.
According to the report by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Climate Prediction Centre (ICPAC) in Eastern Africa, this phenomenon has an impact on agriculture with up to estimated 30-50% reduced crop yields due to irregular rains at critical stages of crop development.
It said that this situation also led to delay to planting and replanting in some parts of Uganda and western Kenya.
In central Kenya and southern Somalia, majority of the crops are currently in late vegetative and reproductive stage while in an average season should be in ripening and harvest stage, the report said.
Tanzania which is in the end of the season has gone through a production deficit caused by dry spells and irregular rainfall distribution in high production areas.
The report indicates that while shortfalls in supply was noted in most markets in Uganda and Kenya resulting to significant increase in prices, prices of grain staples were relatively stable owing to improved availabilities from the second season harvest in other countries such as Burundi and Rwanda
Prices are expected to trend seasonally but above last year’s levels in Uganda and Kenya for maize and beans. In Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi, prices of maize and beans are likely to trend below the five year average due to ample stocks in the markets through the end of the year, the report said.
-0- PANA TWA/VAO 31July2019
