Floods, drought and insects raise famine fear in Mozambique

More than 300,000 people face famine in Mozambique (Erik Cleves Kristensen/Creative Commons/Flickr)

The Mozambique Agriculture Minister, Jose Pacheco, has warned that more than 300,000 people face famine.

Speaking on state radio, Mr Pacheco said the famine, which affects mainly the central and southern regions of the country, has been caused by various factors, including drought, flooding and insect plagues. Crops are also being destroyed by animals such as elephants and hippos.

Mr Pacheco said the government is helping peasant farmers produce more food via financial packages to buy fertilizer and to help them irrigate their fields.

AP