Food Security Early Warning System Agromet Update 2016/2017 Agricultural Season Issue 02 Month: October

Highlights

• Timely rains commenced in South Africa, Swaziland and eastern Botswana, resulting in planting in some areas and slight improvement in dam levels
• Slow and erratic onset of rains was observed in northern parts of the region, and an improvement is expected by late November to early December
• Shortfalls in commercial maize seed availability and farmers’ reduced purchasing power may negatively affect harvest prospects in several countries if unaddressed