| Area: | 30 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Highland rainy climate with mild winter. One rainy season Oct.-April. Cool temperatures in May-September with frost hazard |
| Population: | 2.16 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 770 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country |
| Logistics: | All imports through South Africa |
| Major foodcrops: | Maize, sorghum, vegetables |
| Marketing year: | April/March; Lean season: February-April |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 75 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The cropping season has been marked by generally erratic and below-normal rainfall between September and December, with high temperatures in many areas which further reduced the level of soil moisture. As a result, early planted crops suffered serious water stress and planting was delayed in many areas. Widespread rains in January significantly improved conditions for crops and encouraged some farmers to plant more land. This will increase the size of the area planted, which was forecast in early January at only a third of the 1996/97 level. Seed and fertilizer supply are considered adequate. Following light and localized showers during the first dekad of February, better rains during the last two dekads of February improved crop conditions. However, more timely and well distributed rains are needed in March and April for crops to complete their growth cycle
Based on the above, prospects remain poor for the 1998 cereal harvest. Output is forecast to be some 25 to 30 percent below the 1997 reduced crop. As a result, the food supply situation in the country could worsen during the upcoming marketing year unless arrangements for large imports are made.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
23 |
- |
155 |
178 |
|
Normal Imports |
55 |
10 |
150 |
215 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
15 |
2 |
20 |
37 |
|
1997/98 Domestic Availability |
13 |
- |
114 |
127 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
5 |
- |
104 |
109 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
5 |
- |
104 |
109 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
8 |
- |
10 |
18 |
|
1997/98 Utilization |
73 |
3 |
314 |
390 |
|
Food Use |
70 |
3 |
289 |
362 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
3 |
- |
25 |
28 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997/98 Import Requirement |
60 |
3 |
200 |
263 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
60 |
3 |
105 |
168 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
95 |
95 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
- |
- |
13 |
13 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
13 |
13 |
|
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) |
33 |
1 |
136 |
170 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
61 |
|||
|
1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
122 |
|||
|
1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
257 |
