LESOTHO (6 June)
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in May estimated the 2005 cereal output at 119 000 tonnes, consisting of 92 000 tonnes of maize, 17 000 tonnes of sorghum and 10 000 tonnes wheat. The total production is higher than last year by about 15 percent but is 84 percent of the five-year average. Lesotho’s cereal production appears to be on a downward trend, especially in the main producing districts of Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe and Maseru. This is cause for concern and should be fully investigated. Endemic soil erosion, weather-related disasters and the impact of HIV/AIDS pandemic are likely to be major underlying causes.
Cereal import requirements for 2005/06 marketing year (April/March) are estimated at about 293 000 tonnes, of which 213 000 tonnes are expected to be imported commercially. With food aid stocks of 61 000 tonnes on hand and in the pipeline (as of 1 April 2005) there remains an uncovered cereal deficit of 19 000 tonnes which needs to be covered by additional donor assistance.
It is estimated at 548 800 people will have a significant food deficit between June 2005 and March 2006 and will require food or cash assistance amounting to 20 200 tonnes of maize. Currently WFP feeds up to 400 000 most vulnerable people affected by crop failure and by HIV/AIDS, through general and targeted distributions.