| Area: | 823 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Mostly arid (south-west and coast) or semi-arid. Only north and north-east gets regular rainfall in November-April |
|
Population:
|
1.81 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$1 890
(1999)
|
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Arid to semi-arid country; cereal production mainly in
the north
|
|
Logistics:
|
Good road and railway network
|
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Millet, maize, sorghum, wheat
|
|
Marketing year:
|
May/April;
|
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
48 percent
|
Normal to above-normal rains in the third dekad of October in eastern and northern parts favoured land preparation for planting of the 2001 coarse grain crops and benefited pastures conditions.
Harvest of the 2000 irrigated wheat is almost completed. The output is preliminary estimated at 4 000 tonnes, against 5 000 tonnes last year, as a result of a reduction in the area planted. By contrast, the 2000 coarse grain production increased sharply to 136 000 tonnes, comparing with a reduced level of 70 000 tonnes last year, reflecting abundant rains during the growing season. As a result of the 2000 bumper cereal crop, the food supply situation is satisfactory. Cereal import requirements in marketing year 2000/01 are estimated to be lower than last year at 60 000 tonnes of maize and 50 000 tonnes of wheat. These requirements are anticipated to be covered commercially.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 5 | - | 85 | 90 |
| Previous five years average imports | 42 | - | 84 | 126 |
| 2000/01 Domestic Availability | 9 | - | 137 | 146 |
| 2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 4 | - | 137 | 141 |
| 2000 Production (rice in milled terms) | 4 | - | 137 | 141 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 5 | - | - | 5 |
| 2000/01 Utilization | 59 | - | 197 | 256 |
| Food Use | 59 | - | 174 | 233 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | - | - | 14 | 14 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 9 | 9 |
| 2000/01 Import Requirement | 50 | - | 60 | 110 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 50 | - | 60 | 110 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | - | - |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 34 | - | 100 | 134 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2000 production as % of average: | 157 | |||
| 2000/01 import requirement as % of average: | 87 |
