Hunger and poverty looms in the lower shire after flush floods washed away crops and live stocks worth millions of Kwacha.
According to Taulayi Mulewa, Programs Manager for Shire Valley Agricultural Development Division- a preliminary assessment show that 20 thousand hectares of maize, 8 thousand hectares of rice, and 7 thousand hectares of sorghum and 4 thousand hectares of cotton have been washed away by the floods.
In terms of live stocks- Mulewa said Chikwawa is worst hit as it has lost 500 cattle- 1,940 goats- 600 chickens and 40 pigs while Nsanje has lost 200 goats and close 600 chickens were washed away.
He said in terms of the economic loss for Chikwawa, based on the farm gate prices- the district has lost goats worth K38 Million -cattle worth K100 Million and maize worth K1.6 Billion.
Mulewa added that some of the officers of the ADD have also lost their property due to the floods.
He said the development is posing a risk of hunger and poverty in the lower shire.
