Special alert: Food and Nutrition Security Working Group, 8 February 2018

Highlights

• Erratic rainfall, high temperatures and persistent Fall Armyworm infestation lower cereal crop production prospects for 2018 in southern Africa.
• In the absence of consistent rains for the remainder of the season, dry conditions experienced in December to January will further diminish water supplies for domestic, agricultural and commercial use.
• These conditions are likely to have far reaching consequences on access to adequate food and nutrition and ability of farmers to produce in the 2018/19 consumption year.
• Urgent action is required by member states and development partners to assess the impact of the erratic rainfall on crop and livestock production, ascertain the available cereal stocks and implications on food security and nutrition and livelihoods.