NAMIBIA (6 June)
The Namibia Early Warning and Food Information Unit (NEWFIU) puts an early estimate of the 2004/05 total coarse grain production, mainly millets, sorghum and maize, at 129 000 tonnes, 3 percent above last year and 27 percent above the five-year average. Favourable production is also expected for non-cereal crops such as bambaranuts, cowpeas, pumpkins, and melons. According to earlier Government reports, farmers in eastern Caprivi region were provided emergency assistance for procurement of seed, draft animal power and ploughing implements and accessories. Production of winter wheat is forecast at 10 500 tonnes, down by 1 000 tonnes from the previous year. Consequently, a national cereal import requirement for 2005/06 marketing year (May/April) is estimated at 167 500 tonnes, or some 11.5 percent higher than the year before. Most of this is expected to be met by commercial imports.