A recent FAO/WFP Food Supply and Nutrition Assessment Mission estimated production of the main cereals in 1997 at 2.2 million tons, the lowest since 1991.
Given serious supply constraints, the government has implemented a number of measures aimed at achieving greater self-sufficiency in food. Notwithstanding these interventions, a significant reduction in area planted and yields in 1997 resulted in a substantial decrease in domestic food production. An estimated 2.76 million hectares were planted to cereals in 1997, some 13 percent lower than 1995, previously the lowest year since 1991.
In recent years, yields of wheat and barley have remained stagnant at around 800 and 700 kg/hectare respectively. The estimated wheat yield of 757 kg/hectare in 1997 is lower than in the previous two years and ranged between 1.1 tons/hectare on good irrigated lands, 900 kg/hectare on good rainfed lands and 650 kg/hectare on marginal rainfed land. For barley, the estimated yield in 1997 (663 kg/hectare) is lower than in 1996 (788 kg/hectare) but better than all previous years since 1991. Paddy and maize yields are estimated at about 2 tons/hectare respectively. The Mission noted that crop yields remain low due to several factors. These include poor land preparation as a result of lack of machinery, low use of inputs, deteriorating soil quality and irrigation facilities, increased insect/pest/weed infestation and continuous use of land without proper replenishment of plant nutrients through appropriate fertilizer use or adoption of proper crop rotations. The Mission noted that although there has been some improvement in the overall food supply situation following the implementation of Security Council Resolution (SCR) 986, malnutrition still remains a serious problem throughout the country and the Mission widely observed severe cases of marasmus and kwashiorkor.