FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2 - August 2002 p.38
| Area: | 30 000 sq km |
| Climate: | Highland rainy climate with mild winter. Rainy season: October-April. Cool temperatures in May-September with frost hazard |
| Population: | 2.21 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$580 (2000) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked |
| Logistics: | All imports through South Africa |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize, sorghum, vegetables |
| Marketing year: | April/March; Lean season: February-April |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 75 percent |
The 2002 cereal harvest was estimated by an FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in April/Mayat 53 800 tonnes. Maize production was put at 34 500 tonnes, wheat at 14 100 tonnes and sorghum at 5 200 tonnes. At this level cereal production is 33 percent lower than the already reduced harvest of 2001. The drop mainly reflects a 60 percent decline in the area planted from normal years, due to heavy and widespread rains during the land preparation and planting period. Large areas in the lowlands with impermeable clay sub-soils were water-logged and took considerable time to drain and dry for tractors and machinery to operate. This was compounded by a shortage of tractors and oxen for ploughing in many areas. Frost in March curtailed the end of the growing season adversely affecting yields.
The cereal import requirement in 2002/03 (April/May) is estimated at an increased level of 338 000 tonnes. Commercial imports are expected at 191 000 tonnes and food aid, for 445 000 most affected people, at 147 000 tonnes. Following the second consecutive poor harvest the Government of Lesotho declared a state of famine and requested international food assistance.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 24 | - | 133 | 157 |
| Previous five years average imports | 57 | 4 | 157 | 218 |
| 2002/03 Domestic Availability | 27 | - | 47 | 74 |
| 2002 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 14 | - | 40 | 54 |
| 2002 Production (rice in milled terms) | 14 | - | 40 | 54 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 13 | - | 7 | 20 |
| 2002/03 Utilization | 94 | 3 | 318 | 415 |
| Food use | 93 | 3 | 316 | 412 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 3 | 3 |
| Non-food use | 1 | - | 2 | 3 |
| Exports or re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2002/03 Import Requirement | 66 | - | 272 | 338 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 66 | - | 125 | 191 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | 147 | 147 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | 7 | 7 |
| of which: delivered | - | - | 7 | 7 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 3 | 3 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 3 | 3 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 42 | 1 | 143 | 186 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2002 Production as % of average: | 34 | |||
| 2002/03 Import requirement as % of average: | 155 |