Cotton deliveries are forecast at less than 90,000 tonnes, down from 205,000 tonnes in 1991, soyabeans at 30,000 tonnes (133,000 tonnes last year), while winter wheat production is expected to fall to less than a third of normal levels. Farmers are taking stock in Zimbabwe. They are totaling losses in the face of the worst drought they have ever experienced. The government has been forced to cut subsidies and raise taxes on food imports. The production of maize, a staple crop, is about 90 percent less than normal. Soybeans, winter wheat and cotton production is a fraction of the usual totals. Only drought-resistant tobacco is at normal levels. Farm production for 1992 has decreased to the lowest level in 30 years. Zimbabwe needs 350 million dollars worth of imported food. Water shortages are having a serious effect on electric power production.
Farmers are taking stock in Zimbabwe. They are totaling losses in the face of the worst drought they have ever experienced. The government has been forced to cut subsidies and raise taxes on food imports. The production of maize, a staple crop, is about 90 percent less than normal. Soybeans, winter wheat and cotton production is a fraction of the usual totals. Only drought-resistant tobacco is at normal levels. Farm production for 1992 has decreased to the lowest level in 30 years. Zimbabwe needs 350 million dollars worth of imported food. Water shortages are having a serious effect on electric power production.