Farmers are taking losses in Zimbabwe . They are totaling losses in the face of the worst drought they have ever experienced . Rainfall in 1992 has been less than half the usual amount . The production of maize , a staple crop , is about 50 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 100 million dollars worth of imported food . Electricity 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. Rainfall in 1992 has been less than half the usual amount. 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.