Dryness in southern and central provinces affects planting and crop conditions
Poor rainfall distribution and cumulative deficits, combined with abnormally high temperatures, have dampened prospects for the main maize harvest in much of southern and central Mozambique. Given that large numbers of poor households depend on their own maize production to meet food needs, a below-average harvest could have serious implications for food security in these parts of the country. Although it is still early in the season and the rains have recently picked up, close monitoring of conditions is required, given the probability of below-average rainfall between January and March.