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:
|
2.18 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 670 (1997)
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked
|
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
|
Rainfall has been abundant and widespread since October and cumulative levels at the end of January range from normal to above normal. Crops are reported in good condition. Maize in the mountains and foothills is at flowering stage while it is at vegetative stages in the lowlands.
The national food supply situation is generally stable. Cereal import requirements of some 188 000 tonnes are expected to be met largely through commercial channels. The Government, through its Drought Relief Programme of the Disaster Management Authority, plans to provide assistance to 400 000 beneficiaries, with donor assistance.
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
|
1998/99 Domestic Availability
|
13
|
-
|
172
|
185
|
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)
|
11
|
-
|
141
|
152
|
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)
|
11
|
-
|
141
|
152
|
Possible stock drawdown
|
2
|
-
|
31
|
33
|
1998/99 Utilization
|
53
|
3
|
317
|
373
|
Food Use
|
52
|
3
|
301
|
356
|
of which: local purchase requirement
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Non-food use
|
1
|
-
|
16
|
17
|
Exports or Re-exports
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Possible stock build up
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1998/99 Import Requirement
|
40
|
3
|
145
|
188
|
Anticipated commercial imports
|
40
|
3
|
145
|
188
|
Food aid needs
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Current Aid Position
|
||||
Food aid pledges
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
6
|
of which: Delivered
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
6
|
Donor-financed purchases
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
of which: for local use
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
for export
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)
|
24
|
1
|
138
|
163
|
Indexes
|
||||
1998 production as % of normal:
|
85
| |||
1998/99 import requirement as % of normal:
|
87
| |||
1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal:
|
-
|