RWANDA (10 February)
Harvesting of 2005A main season crops (beans, maize and sorghum) is underway in Rwanda. Weather has been erratic this year with below normal precipitation at the beginning of the season with heavy rains in early December and January with the overall cumulative rainfall being below normal. Consequently, crop prospects are considered not good. FEWSNET reported higher prices for several important food commodities in 2004 as compared to 2002 and 2003. However, harvest time prices of potatoes and sorghum had come down significantly in December from the prices in November. Rwandan economy grew 6 percent in 2004 primarily due to a strong performance of the agriculture sector. However, according to the preliminary results of the currently ongoing joint FAO/WFP/UNICEF/Government assessment, a total of 30 000 tonnes of food aid would be required in 2005. The influx of refugees from DRC and Burundi in recent weeks has continued; the number currently stands at about 50 000. This is expected to have negative food security implications for Rwanda.