FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report - August 1997

NIGERIA

CURRENT SITUATION

Rains started in mid March in the south, remained abundant and widespread, and moved northwards in March and April. First rains reached the north in late April. Rainfall remained abundant and above average in May and June. In the south, the first maize crop is being harvested, while it is growing satisfactorily in the north. In the centre, planting of rainfed and irrigated rice is completed. Millet and sorghum are growing well in the north and are tillering, Torrential rains in late April and early May caused a severe flooding in Ibadan.

Food supply is still constrained by high levels of post-harvest losses and high distribution costs. Shortages of fertilizers, improved seeds and pesticides were reported during planting. As a result, farmers have switched from maize to millet, sorghum and groundnuts, which are less fertilizer dependent. Nevertheless, following good conditions during the growing season and low pest infestations, final cereal output for 1996 is estimated at 21.6 million tons, which is higher than last year. About 55 million tons of roots and tubers, which represent the main foodcrops, were also produced. In 1997, the government announced the complete deregulation of the fertilizer market, including the complete withdrawal of subsidies on the product and tax-free fertilizer imports. As a result, fertilizers will be available but at very high prices and most of the small farmers who produce the bulk of Nigeria foodcrops will not have access to them. A decrease in maize production is expected again for 1997, compensated by a higher output in millet and sorghum. This might have an impact in the neighbouring countries, and notably Niger and Chad, who usually import coarse grains from Nigeria to cover their needs. The cereal import requirement for 1997 is estimated at 1 250 000 tons, including 900 000 tons of wheat and 250 000 tons of rice.