'Biblical plague' stalks SA maize
Outbreak of armyworm in SA's northern neighbours threatens food supplies
Regional governments are to hold a crisis meeting in Johannesburg next month following signs that a virulent pest attacking maize crops may have found its way to South Africa. The possible outbreak threatens food supply, with one government official warning of a possible hike in food prices. The meeting to discuss the fall armyworm outbreak will be convened by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation. It will be the first time regional governments have come together since the outbreak was detected in Zambia last year. Food shortages, higher food prices and an increase in people with an insecure food supply are among the potential consequences . This will not bode well for the region, which already has 40 million food-insecure people, due largely to the drought that decimated crops and livestock last season. The meeting would let the countries share knowledge and assess the extent of damage, said Chimimba David Phiri, the FAO subregional co-ordinator for Southern Africa. "This exch...
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