The present drought situation in the country has hit parts of Oro Province and rural communities are worrying about their food situation more than anything.
Provincial DAL adviser Davidson Heune said communities along the coast are affected by the prolonged dry spell which is now running into months.
Heune said a disaster team, which comprises DAL officers, will start visiting villages affected by the drought, starting with coastal communities who are experiencing shortages of both garden foods and water.
Serembe farmer and educationist Clare Saese said the Higaturu area is having problems with water as creeks and water wells are drying up. She said if the situation continues, inland villages will encounter a water shortage.
Heune said sandy soils along the lowlands and coastline could not store moisture to sustain garden crops and households are affected.