FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/01 - MONGOLIA* (3 September)
Harvesting of the 2001 wheat crop, virtually the only cereal produced in the country, planted under poor weather conditions in April/May has started. Production is forecast at a slightly below-average 190 000 tonnes, close to the output in year 2000. Overall, production has declined progressively, largely as a result of persistent adverse weather conditions, structural changes in the economy and lack of an integrated farming system. The area under cultivation, yields and aggregate output have decreased appreciably. Latest estimates indicate that the area planted to wheat, the main staple, declined from 325 000 hectares in 1996 to about 290 000 hectares in 2001, whilst production in the same period declined from 215 000 tonnes to 190 000 tonnes. The combined effect of the second consecutive severe winter and the underlying problems in the agricultural sector is likely to increase dependency on international food assistance. A UN/Government appeal for international assistance was launched last January to assist drought affected people in 73 counties.