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Poor start of agriculture season possible due to forecast normal to below normal rains

  • Remote Monitoring Report
  • Lesotho
  • September 2015
Poor start of agriculture season possible due to forecast normal to below normal rains

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  • Key Messages
  • Key Messages
    • Following below-average harvests, most poor households have exhausted own-produced foods and are now reliant on market purchases for staple foods. Staple food prices will continue to gradually increase as the lean season approaches, which will begin to reduce purchasing power for poor, market-dependent households. 

    • Due to below-average income and seasonal increases in staple food prices, poor households will likely face Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes in Qacha’s Nek, Thaba-Tseka, and Mafeteng. However, the greater part of Lesotho will likely maintain Minimal (IPC Phase 1) acute food insecurity.

    • Based on forecasts for a continued El Nino through at least January 2016, the Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF) and South African Weather Service indicate an increased likelihood of average to below-average rainfall through January.  This could lead to a poor start to the agricultural season, from which agricultural activities and labor are an important source of food and income for poor households. 

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    In remote monitoring, a coordinator typically works from a nearby regional office. Relying on partners for data, the coordinator uses scenario development to conduct analysis and produce monthly reports. As less data may be available, remote monitoring reports may have less detail than those from countries with FEWS NET offices. Learn more about our work here.

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