Zambia: drought in Monze
Foster, S.
Lancet 340(8817): 476
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0140-6736 PMID: 1354798 DOI: 10.1016/0140-6736(92)91786-8Document Number: 326190
In Monze District, Zambia, the population must face the drought of 1991-92, corridor disease (tick-borne East Coast fever), and AIDS. The Ministry of Agriculture in Lusaka acted quick in securing available world stocks in maize which are being targeted to households most at risk of starvation. Food and other interventions are also being targeted to AIDS families to help avoid family breakup and economic ruin. The tradition is that a dead man's relatives may seize belongings, even cooking pots, which may mean the widow and children are left with no means of support. This situation occurs in Monze District despite legislation prohibiting the claiming of possessions. Women are in a difficult position as both planters and weeders of maize and as caretakers of the ill AIDS patients. Men caring for the sick or taking over women's work is necessary in order to prevent a labor shortage for the production of maize. Stocks of mealie meal are needed for families until the next harvest. Seed will be needed in October for planting. With adequate rain, agriculture could return to normal in 1-2 years, unless the impact of AIDS is significant. It is worrisome because 33% of families are expected to have had 1 family member who dies from AIDS by 1997. At present in a population of 160,000, 3600 cases of AIDS have appeared. In adjusting to the drought, the population has had to sell off livestock and their main assets, which has depressed the market value. In addition, 33% of the animals in the southern district have died from corridor disease. The loss of trained oxen will affect ploughing next year. Relief maize is the only hope for subsistence farmers with little or no money, no food in the granary, and no prospect for improvement. Wealthy farmers have had their difficulties also. One man borrowed money to buy fertilizer and maize seed and lost his investment. Maize seed production has been reduced by 50% as a result of the drought, although government authorities have reassured farmers that sufficient seed will be available. This has been the worst drought since 1923-24, and has been acerbated by AIDS in the population.