CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (CAR) (10 May)
Cereal output in 2003 is expected to have decreased for the second consecutive year to an estimated 125 000 tonnes. Despite overall favourable weather, persistent insecurity – notably in the north – inadequate availability of agricultural inputs and mass population displacements have resulted in a decrease in the area sown to cereals.
Imports of cereals in 2004 are tentatively estimated at some 46 000 tonnes, slightly higher than last year’s requirement.
Although most of the 230 000 IDPs have returned home an estimated 41 000 refugees from CAR are still living in Chad.