The 1997 second season food crops are generally in good condition and ready for harvest. Rains during the growing season have been generally adequate and a larger area than last year was planted, mainly due to the massive return of refugees. There are, however, some areas where rains were excessive and had adverse effect on crops, especially in the prefecture of Butare where a considerable crop loss is certain. According to the findings of an FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission which visited the country in June, the area planted to the 1997 B season crops is larger than at the same time last year. However, the assessment further reveals that plantings were still below pre-crisis levels because of a variety of factors restricting cultivation. These include the late arrival and settlement in their communes of a large part of refugees, land disputes between returnees and current farm occupants, and lack of inputs. The mission�s estimate of 1997 B season total food production is 1.941 million tons, the bulk of which is bananas and roots/tubers. Compared to last year, the total food output from season B is some 6 percent higher. The cereal harvest, estimated at about 128 000 tons, exceeds last season�s outturn by 17 percent but well below from the pre- crisis level of 1990. By contrast, the production of roots and tubers declined slightly but that of pulses was sharply reduced because of excessive rains. As pulses constitute the main source of protein in the diet of the population and harvest from season A had also been poor, the situation could become alarming.
Overall, the food situation can be considered to be better than last year as harvests from both A and B seasons are larger than in 1996. Aggregate food production for 1997 is estimated at 3.8 million tons, about 7 percent higher than last year but down from the average of pre-crisis. Reflecting below-average food production, the food supply situation remains precarious in several areas. For those relying on purchases for part or all of their consumption requirements, access to food has become exceedingly difficult. As a result, the need for food assistance remains strong. The Mission estimated food aid requirements for cereals and pulses at 31 000 tons and 103 000 tons, respectively. The Mission also recommended that donors provide further assistance in the form of seeds, farming tools and other inputs to ensure that next year's planting of food crops will not be hampered.