HONDURAS* (1 October)
Harvesting of 2004/05 marketing year first season maize and bean crop has been virtually completed. First season maize production, which represents about 80 percent of the national production, is tentatively estimated at 400 000 tonnes, which declined from previous year’s same season due to a 20 percent reduction in plantings and to a severe drought that affected the departments of Francisco Morazán, El Paraiso, Choluteca, Intibucá and Gracias a Dios in July. In these departments, some 30 000 rural families partially lost their subsistence food crops, and food assistance is being delivered by the international community. In order to support production of the second season crops, which are currently being planted in southern and western departments, the Ministry of Agriculture is distributing certified seeds of bean and sorghum and fertilizers to drought-affected farmers. Wheat and maize import requirements in marketing year 2004/05 (July/June) are forecast at about 260 000 tonnes and 320 000 tonnes respectively.
Food assistance continues to be provided by the international community, especially to families in municipalities with over 50 percent of chronic malnutrition.