RWANDA (19 May)
In Rwanda,the 2003/04 main season started in September-October with normal to erratic rains. However, following a favourable rainfall season during the January to April growing period, favourable crop harvest of maize, sorghum and beans is expected. A joint FAO/WFP/Government assessment in December estimated Season A national crop production at 3.5 million tonnes about the same as the year before. The second season crops, maize, sorghum and beans are growing under near normal weather conditions.
The country has a sizable food deficit requiring food aid of about 35 000 tonnes of cereals. According to WFP, the food pipeline for April to September 2004 appears sufficient to cover food aid requirements. Food assistance is likely to be required for vulnerable groups in the areas affected by dry weather, where food difficulties were already being experienced in the past months.