Floods threaten food security for farmers in Zambezi Region - nbc

Описание: Heavy rains and floodwaters are threatening food security for some farmers in the Mbilajwe and Batubaja areas in the Zambezi Region.

Some crop fields are already submerged, a situation farmers say presented earlier than expected.
Most of the produce are not yet ready for harvest, making it difficult for farmers to harvest and store them.

Water was already above knee level, covering hectares of maize field located in a channel extending from the Linyanti River.
One of the affected farmers at Mbilajwe is Freda Luswenyo.

"So we wondered whether it was rain or floodwaters; we didn't waste time; we informed the induna immediately and asked him to intervene on the matter by informing the constituency councillor."

Norris Sitali is battling two factors. His 8-hectare field is completely drenched by water while domestic animals and wildlife ravage through the field.

Both the Batubaja and Mbilajwe areas border Botswana in an area where wildlife roams for food.

"We planted in September, but then the cattle troubled us, and when the mealies grew, hippos and buffaloes also came in and destroyed them. We restarted the whole process in October, and now this is the same produce that is flooded now."

Control warden from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Mulife Muyoba, confirmed that over the years, they have received reports of human-wildlife conflict and damage to the fields.

Eleven farmers were affected.
One of the affected farmers and area induna for Batubaja Village, Morven Luswenyo, indicated that the matter had been shared with the constituency councillor's office.

"I have also spoken to our honourable councillor, Mr Sipapela, the councillor for the Linyanti constituency. I indicated to him the situation we have here, and he said we should try to get as much information as possible so that he can see if he can elevate the situation to the office of the prime minister or the disaster management unit."

Luswenyo said the flooding, especially this early in the year, is not a regular occurrence, noting that over the past years, they would only experience the floods at the end of March.

"This area has been dry for quite some time, so we are now surprised that all of a sudden, we are not necessarily really surprised, but we appreciate water also because our animals will also benefit from this flow of water, so it's something that has not happened for a while."

He said they have also approached the government for assistance.