FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2001 GAMBIA 19

GAMBIA

Area:

10 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet-dry climate; rainy season: May-October

Population:

1.44 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$340 (1999)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; coastal Sahelian country

Logistics:

Port capacity and roads adequate

Major foodcrops:

Rice, millet and sorghum

Marketing year:

November/October; Lean season: July-September

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

63 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Final estimates for the 2000 cereal production point to a record harvest of 175 600 tonnes, representing an increase of about 16 percent compared to 1999 and 48 percent compared to the previous five years average.

Following two successive bumper crops in 1999 and 2000, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory. However, the Central River Division (CRD) North gathered poor crops due to blister beetles and striga infestations in early millet fields. Poor germination of groundnut seed due to high pest infestations at storage level also resulted in reduced groundnut production. A total of 9 276 persons are severely affected and would need about 250 tonnes of cereals to fill the gap for the lean period.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2000/01 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Previous five years average production - 27 92 119

Previous five years average imports 31 81 2 114

2000/01 Domestic Availability - 22 142 164

2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 34 142 176

2000 Production (rice in milled terms) - 22 142 164

Possible stock drawdown - - - -

2000/01 Utilization 40 102 142 284

Food Use 24 88 102 214

of which: local purchase requirement - - 5 5

Non-food use 1 4 24 30

Exports or Re-exports 15 10 - 25

Possible stock build up - - 15 15

2000/01 Import Requirement 40 80 - 120

Anticipated commercial imports 40 78 - 118

Food aid needs - 2 - 2

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - - 2 2

of which: Delivered - - - -

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 17 61 71 148

Indexes

2000 production as % of average: 148

2000/01 import requirement as % of average: 105

FAO/GIEWS - April 2001

Area:	10 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet-dry climate; rainy season: May-October
Population:	1.44 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$340 (1999)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; coastal Sahelian country
Logistics:	Port capacity and roads adequate
Major foodcrops:	Rice, millet and sorghum
Marketing year:	November/October; Lean season: July-September
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	63 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Previous five years average production	-	27	92	119
Previous five years average imports	31	81	2	114
2000/01 Domestic Availability	-	22	142	164
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	34	142	176
2000 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	22	142	164
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
2000/01 Utilization	40	102	142	284
Food Use	24	88	102	214
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	5	5
Non-food use	1	4	24	30
Exports or Re-exports	15	10	-	25
Possible stock build up	-	-	15	15
2000/01 Import Requirement	40	80	-	120
Anticipated commercial imports	40	78	-	118
Food aid needs	-	2	-	2
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	2	2
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	17	61	71	148
Indexes
2000 production as % of average:				148
2000/01 import requirement as % of average:				105