Planting of the 1997/98 short “Vuli” rains crop season is complete in bi-modal northern areas, while that of the 1998 main “long rains” season in the uni-modal central and southern parts is well advanced. Widespread above-normal rains in November, which resulted in localized floods in northern and eastern parts, generally favoured planting operations and maintained adequate soil conditions for crop establishment.
Following a sharp decline in the 1997 aggregate cereal and non- cereal production, the overall food supply situation is tight. Prices of maize, rice, sorghum and cassava have more than doubled since last year and the country faces a cereal deficit in 1997/98 (June/May) of 851 000 tons. Most of the deficit is expected to be covered commercially and the Government has announced measures to facilitate imports by the private sector. However, food aid requirements, for 1.4 million most affected persons, are estimated at 76 000 tons of cereals. The food supply situation is particularly difficult in areas where the harvest was poor, mainly in the bi-modal areas of the north affected by two successive reduced crops. The outcome of the 1997/98 “Vuli” crop will be crucial for the food security of the population in these areas. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is planned to visit the country in January 1998 to appraise the “Vuli” crops at harvest and prospects for the main crop season in the south.