More than average harvest reduces food insecurity #mozambique

The US-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network
(FEWS NET) has reported that the majority of rural
households in Mozambique are meeting their basic food
needs following an above average harvest.
According to its latest Food Security Update, households
are meeting their food needs through markets, home-grown
stocks and the second cropping season.
FEWS NET stressed that most markets are adequately
supplied with staple food and commodities. It stated that
food prices are expected to remain close to the five year
average.
The report stated that households in areas hit by floods in
February and March have managed to recover and now have
adequate access to food of their own.
However, it pointed out that there are exceptions. In
particular, the government has had to provide food
assistance in parts of the central district of Gorongosa to
people who have been displaced by conflict between
government forces and Renamo gunmen.
The outlook for next year's harvest is tempered by warning
signs that the El Niño phenomenon, which is associated
with drought in southern Africa, is likely to occur in coming
months.
FEWS NET highlighted a warning from the Climate
Prediction Centre (CPC) - International Research Institute
for Climate and Society (IRI), that there is an elevated
chance for an El Niño event to develop between August and
October 2014 and to continue into early 2015.
It added, "historically, the main impact of El Niño in
Mozambique is felt during the second half of the cropping
season (January to March). However, there is 50 per cent
likelihood of having below average October to December
rainfall during El Niño years in parts of southern and central
Mozambique, which means that the start of season could be
delayed along with planting for the main agricultural
season".