The rainy season started in March in the south of the country, allowing the start of planting of the first maize crop. Following favourable growing conditions, the 1997 cereal production is estimated at 916 000 tonnes, which is well above average. Aggregate production of roots and tubers is about 20 percent higher than the previous year, at about 3.44 million tonnes, and pulse production is estimated at 100 000 tonnes, which is 35 percent above the previous year's level.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. The cereal import requirement for 1998 (January/December) is estimated at 205 000 tonnes (including re-exports), mostly wheat and rice.
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Following release of the final 1997/98 cereal production figures, the aggregate cereal production has been revised downwards to about 2 million tonnes, which is about 19 percent and 18 percent below 1996 and the last five years� average, respectively. This is the lowest level since 1990. The list of deficit areas has also been revised.
Reflecting this below-average harvest, the overall food supply situation will be tight in areas which gathered reduced crops. The Government has estimated the emergency food aid needs at 67 200 tonnes to cover consumption requirements of 800 000 people for seven months. It has also launched an emergency programme, including off-season production, nutrition, cereal bank replenishment projects, as well as emergency food assistance.
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Despite two successive poor harvests, the overall food supply situation remains satisfactory as the country imports the bulk of its consumption requirement. However, affected rural populations, notably in the semi-arid or arid zones, may need assistance. For the 1997/98 marketing year, the cereal import requirement is estimated at 100 000 tonnes.
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Output of the recently harvested recession sorghum crop (berb�r�) has not been significantly reduced by African Migratory Locust infestations in late 1997 in Chari and Baguirmi areas. Prospects for off-season crops in the Lake Chad area (wheat, rice, millet) are also more favourable than previously assessed. The aggregate cereal production for 1997/98 is well above 1996 level and the average of the last five years.
The overall food supply situation will be better in 1997/98 than in 1996/97. Markets are generally well supplied and cereal prices have declined in the Sahelian zone, except in Kanem and parts of Batha prefectures where they increased slightly. They are generally lower than in the previous year at the same period, thus improving terms of trade for pastoralists. However, the national early warning system (SAP) recommended provision of 5 155 tonnes of food aid to assist about 237 000 people for up to four months in areas classified as at risk of food supply difficulties. About 10 000 tonnes of cereals are to be purchased with some donor assistance to replenish the national security stock, which has a recommended level of 22 000 tonnes and which was exhausted at the end of the last growing season.
Regular rains started in the southern part of the country during the first dekad of March, benefiting planting of the first maize crop. Cereal production for 1997 is currently estimated at 1.52 million tonnes, which is about the previous year's level.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory and markets are adequately supplied. The cereal import requirement for 1998 (January/December), is estimated at 610 000 tonnes, mostly wheat and rice.
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Reflecting a long dry spell in July/August 1997 which affected mainly maize and upland rice, the 1997 aggregate cereal output is well below the 1996 output and substantially below average.
The food supply situation will be tighter in 1998 than in 1997. However, the good groundnut production improved the income situation of farmers in some areas.
Planting of the first maize crop has started. The 1997 aggregate cereal production was close to normal, estimated at 1.77 million tonnes. Root and tuber production was slightly higher than average, estimated at 13 million tonnes. However, millet and maize production in the extreme north was substantially lower than normal, and some food and seed assistance is required in these affected areas. Due to low water reserves in the north, dry season gardening, a source of pulses and vegetables, has been affected, reducing the region's food security.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory but could deteriorate in the extreme north in the coming months. The 1998 cereal import requirement is estimated at 410 000 tonnes, mostly wheat and rice.
Dry conditions prevail. The aggregate 1997 cereal production is estimated at 911 000 tonnes, which is about average. Nevertheless, the large number of refugees in some of the main producing areas is causing substantial damage, including soil degradation and deforestation.
Latest estimates put the total number of refugees in Guinea at 405 000, of whom about 210 000 are Sierra Leoneans and 195 000 are Liberians. Organized repatriation is underway for the Liberian refugees and will be completed by the end of the year. Repatriation of Sierra Leonean refugees has also started and about 3 500 refugees have already returned. The cereal import requirement for 1998 is estimated at 400 000 tonnes.
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. The 1997 aggregate cereal output was well above 1996 and above the average for the last five years.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Markets are generally well supplied and prices remain mostly stable. Cereal imports during the 1997/98 marketing year are estimated at 76 000 tonnes (including re-exports).
Some rainfall in early March in the south allowed planting of cassava and yams, and land preparation for the main rice crop. As a result of the stable security situation throughout the country, humanitarian aid can be delivered to most areas and an improvement in the nutritional status of the populations is reported. Food supply on the urban market is stable, although most of it comes from humanitarian sources. Prices remain high and most people have turned to cassava as a substitute for rice. Poor infrastructure due to destruction during the war hampers the marketing of food commodities. A UN Consolidated Appeal has been issued, including agricultural rehabilitation programmes.
Liberia remains heavily dependent on food aid. The number of refugees and displaced persons is currently estimated at about 750 000, most of whom are receiving a food assistance. Organized repatriation is underway for about 480 000 Liberian refugees in neighbouring countries and should be completed by the end of 1998. The cereal import requirement for 1998 (January/December) is currently estimated at 210 000 tonnes, of which 110 000 tonnes are expected as food aid.
Seasonably hot and dry conditions prevail. Prospects for recession and irrigated off-season crops are favourable. The 1997/98 aggregate cereal production is estimated at 2.4 million tonnes, which is above 1996 level and above the average for the last five years. Rice production reached a new record of 663 000 tonnes. Some Desert Locusts may be present in Adrar des Iforas and Tibemsi Valley.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Cereal surpluses will be available in most of the producing zones. Markets are well supplied and cereal prices are generally at levels much lower than those of 1996 at the same period. However, the national early warning system (SAP) has classified several arrondissements in the north and west of Tombouctou region and the arrondissement of Aourou in Kayes region as at risk of food supply difficulties following poor harvests due to unfavourable growing conditions or pest attacks. Emergency needs for the affected populations in Tombouctou area are estimated at 2 500 tonnes and at 205 tonnes in Kayes region. Several other arrondissements may also face economic difficulties. The SAP recommended the implementation of income-generating activities for the affected populations and constitution of local security stocks, notably through cereal banks. Exportable surpluses are available for commercial or food aid triangular transactions with neighbouring countries affected by deficits. However, administrative constraints, such as the official requirement for an export declaration form, may limit opportunities for cross-border trade.
Harvesting of recession and off-season crops is underway. Prospects for the walo recession crops are not favourable due to drying effect of the harmattan wind and pest attacks. Pastures have deteriorated. Low numbers of Desert Locusts are present in the north where limited breeding may occur.
The overall food supply situation in 1998 is anticipated to be tight. Poor rainfed production in Senegal will also limit possible imports in the Senegal river area. Following substantial recent commercial imports, wheat and rice prices remain mostly stable. The government has requested international food assistance amounting to about 50 000 tonnes.
Seasonably hot and dry conditions prevail. Harvesting of recession crops is underway. Aggregate cereal production in 1997/98 is estimated at 2.25 million tonnes, marginally down on 1996 but 4 percent above the average of the past five years. Some Desert Locusts may be present in a few places of Tamesna.
However, food supply is anticipated to be tight in several areas which gathered poor crops, some for the second or third successive year. Cereal prices are particularly high in these areas. The National Early Warning System (SAP) estimates that the most affected areas are the arrondissements of Diffa, Abalack, Agadez, Ouallam, Tchitabaradem, Arlit, Bilma, Ma�n� Soroa, N�Guigmi and Tchirozerine, the first five being particularly at risk. With donor support, the Government has launched an off-season production programme to cover the needs of the affected populations. A mid-term evaluation estimated that the programme is quite successful as about 43 000 hectares have been planted and production could reach 800 000 tonnes of vegetables, which is equivalent to 144 000 tonnes of cereals. However, higher than normal migrations to Mali of families or men in search of work are reported from the north of Tillabery department.
Rains started over the south in mid-March and the planting of the first maize crop is about to start. Shortages of fertilizers, improved seeds and pesticides are reported and may limit crop yields. A severe fuel shortage has also been reported and is affecting internal trade activities. Total cereal production in 1997 is estimated at 21.8 million tonnes, close to the previous year�s. Root and tuber production is estimated at 58 million tonnes, which is slightly above average.
Food supply, while still constrained by high levels of postharvest losses and high distribution costs, is satisfactory. The cereal import requirement for 1998 is estimated at 1.3 million tonnes, including 1 million tonnes of wheat and 200 000 tonnes of rice.
Seasonably hot and dry conditions prevail. Higher than normal temperatures were reported in early February. Harvesting of recession or irrigated crops is underway and prospects are more favourable than in the previous year. Due to a long dry spell in July/August, the 1997 aggregate rainfed cereal production is estimated to be 20 percent below the previous year�s level and below average.
Following the reduced cereal harvest in 1997, the overall food supply situation is going to be tight during the 1997/98 marketing year. In urban areas, food supply is adequate and prices of rice remain stable. In rural areas, supplies and prices of rice also remain generally stable but those of coarse grains are increasing, notably in the north and the centre-north which gathered a poor rainfed crop and are considered to be most at risk. Following an initial food distributions programme in the affected areas in late 1997, the Government launched in January an appeal for food assistance amounting to 82 600 tonnes of cereals to cover the needs of about 2.5 million affected people.
Significant improvement in the security situation is facilitating the implementation of humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation activities. The lifting of the embargo has led to some improvement in the functioning of food markets as well as the flow of relief food supplies. Nevertheless, the food supply situation is still precarious, as very little humanitarian assistance was provided to the country since the implementation of the economic embargo in August 1997. The ECOMOG peace keeping forces are now deployed throughout the country, reopening the main roads, and food assistance is now reaching the main towns. However, insecurity still prevails in various parts of the country, notably in the east, southeast and the north, causing population displacements. At least 50 000 people have fled to neighbouring Liberia in recent weeks. This could hamper preparations for the next rice crop to be planted in April, as well as agricultural rehabilitation activities. As the security situation has improved in the areas controlled by ECOMOG, emergency agricultural inputs need to be provided immediately for the 1998 main growing season which is just starting.
FAO estimates Sierra Leone�s cereal import requirement for 1998 at about 260 000 tonnes. If peace is quickly reestablished throughout the country, it is estimated that about 180 000 tonnes of cereals would be imported by local traders up to the end of 1998, leaving a food aid requirement of 80 000 tonnes. If, however, farm families continue to be displaced by fighting, the country will continue to face severe food difficulties in 1998. In early March, the United Nations launched a flash appeal for US$11.2 million to meet priority humanitarian needs over the next three months.
Planting of the first maize crop is about to start. Due to good climatic conditions, aggregate cereal production for 1997 is estimated at about 770 000 tonnes, which is about 18 percent above the previous year. Root and tuber production is estimated at 1.2 million tonnes, which is above average, while pulse production is estimated at 102 000 tonnes, about 13 percent below the previous year�s level.
Markets are well supplied with foodstuffs. The cereal import requirement for 1998 (January/December), is estimated at 90 000 tonnes of wheat and rice (including re-exports).