The 1997 cereal crop is estimated at 431 000 tons, 15 percent below last year’s good harvest, due to below normal rainfall. Rainfall was characterized by a late start, an extended mid- season dry spell and a variable finish, resulting in canceled or delayed planting and lower yields, in several regions, particularly in western coastal areas. The area planted has increased thanks to NGO and UN Agency interventions providing seeds and tools to internally displaced persons and returnees. However, cereal production continues to be constrained by the shortage of fertilizers, plant protection equipment and chemicals, hand tools and animal traction equipment in the main producing areas.
The national food supply situation continues to be tight. With domestic cereal utilization estimated at 972 000 tons, some 531 000 tons of cereal need to be imported during the marketing year 1997/98. An estimated 279 000 tons may be imported by commercial channels, leaving a shortfall of 252 000 tons to be met by food aid, including 128 000 tons of emergency food aid for vulnerable groups. In addition, food aid will be required to assist the rehabilitation process. Furthermore, the recent outbreak of hostilities in the north- east is worsening an already precarious security situation, indicating that more food assistance will be required in the coming months. Food aid pledges for the current marketing year amount to 183 000 tons so far, of which 129 000 tons have been delivered.
The 1997 coarse grain crop is estimated at 27 000 tons, including 21 000 tons of millet and sorghum, which is one- third of last year’s crop. Maize production has dropped to 6 000 tons against last year's 23 000 tons. Yields for crops planted in November/December may have been adversely affected by the February dry spell. Some pests were also reported during the season including Quelea birds in parts of central, northern and southern areas.
The food supply situation for the 1997/98 marketing year is expected to be satisfactory as cereal import requirements are likely to be met commercially.
Official estimates of the 1997 harvest point to an output of 109 000 tons of cereals, which is below average and much lower than the record crop in 1996. This is partly due a dry spell in February in southern districts and early frost in the last two weeks of April. Maize production is estimated at 90 500 tons, sorghum at 13 000 tons and wheat at 5 300 tons.
Reflecting this drop in output, the food supply situation for the 1997/98 marketing year is expected to be tight. The cereal deficit is anticipated to reach 260 000 tons including about 95 000 tons of food aid for which international assistance may be necessary to meet the needs of vulnerable groups. Food aid pledged so far amount to 6 000 tons, of which 5 000 tons have been delivered.
Aggregate cereal production in 1997 is estimated at 2.7 million tons, about the same as in 1996. This is mainly due to good climatic conditions, despite a potential fall in yields as a result of the delay in transplanting the second (main) season rice. Crops in the south-west were affected by migratory locust. An FAO/WFP Mission is presently in the country to evaluate the impact of locusts on crop and food situation in southern areas. With the end of rains in May/June, swarms have moved towards the north where they are likely to pose a major threat to the rice crop in the north- west later in the year. The Government has undertaken control operations with the support of the international community and coordination by FAO.
The food supply situation during the 1997/98 marketing year is expected to be satisfactory and the bulk of the food shortfall could be covered locally and by commercial imports.
The 1997 maize crop is estimated at about 2 million tons, slightly above last year’s above average crop. The output of rice, sorghum and wheat are expected to be similar to last year. This is the result of generally abundant rainfall during the season, despite a late start of rains in the north, dry spells in several areas and flooding in parts of the south.
As a result of the favourable outcome of the season, the food supply situation is expected to be satisfactory during the 1997/98 marketing year. However, areas affected by drought in the north and by floods in the south will need food assistance and the situation should be carefully monitored during the coming months.
The 1997 production of cereals is estimated at 1.53 million tons, about 11 percent higher than last year. The maize harvest is expected to exceed 1 million tons for the first time in recent years. Production of cassava, the other major staple, as well as beans and groundnuts has also increased. As a result, the national food supply situation during the 1997/98 marketing year is expected to continue improving compared to the previous years. However, the country will have an estimated import requirement of 205 000 tons of rice and wheat. Moreover, a large number of farmers affected by floods could face food shortages in the coming months. Food
aid needs are estimated at about 112 000 tons of cereals. Pledges to date amount to 90 000 tons, of which 51 000 tons have been delivered.