“Drought and Famine: Inadequate Rainfall,” Africa Research Bulletin (Economic Series) V. 24, N. 7, August 31, 1987, p. 8782

The lack of rainfall and the abundance of locusts and grasshoppers pose a threat to the agricultural development of the Sahel causing concern of famine among countries in the area. Mozambique, Angola, Ethiopia, Botswana, and Lesotho are in a particularly desperate state with Mozambique and Angola food shortages resulting in civil unrest. Botswana and Lesotho are doing better marginally, but will still require food aid and countries that formerly received good harvests. Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, have also lost a significant amount of their crops with the decrease in production in Malawi being partially due to decreased fertilization and smaller plantings.

Summary by Jean Fan Miaw