Zimbabwe imports 150k tons of corn from S.A. to avert hunger as millions face starvation
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Zimbabwe's agriculture ministry says it is importing 150,000 tons of corn, the nation's staple food, from neighboring South Africa to avert a looming food crisis as millions face starvation.
Deputy Agriculture Minister Davis Marapira said Friday the government had so far received 300 tons which will be distributed to hard-hit parts of the country, state media reported.
The United Nations estimates at least 2.2 million Zimbabweans will need food assistance before the next harvest in April.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Zimbabwe only managed to produce 800,000 tons of corn last year. Annual consumption is 2.2 million tons.
Before the chaotic and often violent seizures of thousands of white-owned farms in 2000, Zimbabwe was a self-sufficient regional bread basket and a major exporter of corn.