MAPUTO, June 10 (Xinhua) -- At least 133,974 people are facing food insecurity in Mozambique's southern province of Gaza due to low agricultural production caused by irregular rainfall during the current 2023-2024 agricultural season, an official said Monday.
The figures were released on Monday by Alberto Matusse, spokesperson for the 10th Ordinary Session of the Council of State Representation Services in Gaza Province.
Matusse said that while it did rain in March and April this year, the volume of water was insufficient to significantly improve the state of the crops.
"We are not saying that there is famine in the province, but we recognize that there are families in some districts who are experiencing difficulties and need food assistance for their subsistence," said Matusse.
The districts most affected by the lack of rain in Gaza are Guija, Chigubo, Mabalane, Mapai, Chicualacuala and Massangena.
"The agricultural campaign in the province was marked by a shortage of rain, especially in November and December last year. In January this year, there was a lot of rain, which negatively affected crops in the lower areas," the spokesperson said.
For the 2023-24 campaign, Gaza Province had projected a production of around 2,793,665 tons of various agricultural products. However, according to Matusse, only about 1,028,530 tons have been harvested so far.
Matusse noted that the harvest is still underway, which could alter these figures.
Gaza is an agricultural province in Mozambique known for its extensive cereal and rice cultivation.
