THE Southern African Development community crop production for the 2001/2002 season is expected to fall below the 10-year average due to the severe prolonged mid-season dry spell which culminated into drought in several countries.

According to the latest Sadc food bulletin, overall maize output this year will be below the average for the past 10-year period in which about 15,88 million tonnes were harvested annually.

"Drought conditions have resulted in complete crop failure in Zimbabwe, particularly in Matabeleland, Masvingo and Midlands prov-inces while crops have been scorched in southern Zambia as well as southern Mozambique," said Sadc.

It said excessive rainfall and flooding had been reported in Malawi and to a lesser extent in Zambia and Mozambique.

There were indications that maize production would decrease in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia and Tanzania.

"Increased maize production, on the other hand, was expected in South Africa, Malawi, Lesotho and Mozambique," it said.

Serious food shortage and possible threats of starvation were being experienced in Zimbabwe and Malawi where strategic reserves had been depleted while import deliveries from South Africa had been slow.

In Zimbabwe, more than 500 000 people are in need of urgent food aid. - Ziana.