Drought conditions have resulted in crop failure across western parts of RSA's Maize Triangle, Lesotho and southern Zimbabwe, with crop stress in the eastern part of the Maize Triangle as well as central Zimbabwe and Swaziland. Drought conditions have developed in eastern Botswana and southern Mozambique as well.
Favorable growing conditions in northern Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola and Namibia have resulted from abundant rains. In Ethiopia, the Belg rains are off to a reasonable start.
Poor conditions will not improve this season in parts of RSA, southern Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique and the surrounding region. Hot, dry conditions in the region since the beginning of the New Year have devastated the region. The worst of the conditions are centered in the western portions of RSA's Maize Triangle, southern Zimbabwe and western Lesotho where crop failures have been reported. Crop stress across eastern parts of the Maize Triangle, as well as Swaziland and central Zimbabwe has also been reported, and crop yield reductions are likely. Those farms that employed soil moisture conservation techniques, such as deep soil ripping, and those that planted earlier are more likely to have a better crop. Conditions are also poor in eastern Botswana and southern Mozambique where erratic and light rains have resulted in poor conditions. The high producing areas in northern Zimbabwe received normal rains throughout the year, although conditions have dried out during the last week.