FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3, December 1999 THE GAMBIA 19

THE GAMBIA

Area:

10 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet-dry climate; rainy season: May-October

Population:

1.38 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 320 (1995)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; coastal sahelian country

Logistics:

Port capacity and roads adequate

Major foodcrops:

Rice, millet and sorghum

Marketing year:

November/October; Lean season: July-September

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

63 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Harvest prospects are good, reflecting satisfactory growing conditions. Unusually heavy rains have been registered, notably in August, which caused substantial flooding, especially in the west. Cumulative rainfall is above normal, generally exceeding 1000 mm and reaching 1723.4 mm in Sapu in south CRD. Pastures are adequate. No significant pest infestation has been reported. A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission from 18 to 22 October estimated 1999 cereal production at 137 150 tonnes (rice in paddy equivalent), 20 percent above the 1998 level and 29 percent above the five-year average.

The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Markets are well supplied. Vulnerable populations affected by poor crops in 1998 received WFP food aid of 2 671 tonnes of cereals, 400 tonnes of pulses and 167 tonnes of oil.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1999/2000 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Normal Production

-

23

83

106

Normal Imports

25

80

3

108

of which: Structural food aid

1

2

3

6

1999/2000 Domestic Availability

5

19

108

132

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

29

108

137

1999 Production (rice in milled terms)

-

19

108

127

Possible stock drawdown

5

-

-

5

1999/2000 Utilization

27

111

108

246

Food Use

21

92

87

200

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

5

5

Non-food use

1

3

19

24

Exports or Re-exports

5

15

-

20

Possible stock build up

-

-

2

2

1999/2000 Import Requirement

22

92

-

114

Anticipated commercial imports

22

90

-

112

Food aid needs

-

2

-

2

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges

-

-

1

1

of which: Delivered

-

-

1

1

Donor-financed purchases

-

-

-

-

of which: for local use

-

-

-

-

for export

-

-

-

-

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

15

67

63

145

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal:

129

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:

106

1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:

33

FAO/GIEWS - December 1999

Area:	10 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet-dry climate; rainy season: May-October
Population:	1.38 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 320 (1995)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; coastal sahelian country
Logistics:	Port capacity and roads adequate
Major foodcrops:	Rice, millet and sorghum
Marketing year:	November/October; Lean season: July-September
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	63 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	-	23	83	106
Normal Imports	25	80	3	108
of which: Structural food aid	1	2	3	6
1999/2000 Domestic Availability	5	19	108	132
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	29	108	137
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	19	108	127
Possible stock drawdown	5	-	-	5
1999/2000 Utilization	27	111	108	246
Food Use	21	92	87	200
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	5	5
Non-food use	1	3	19	24
Exports or Re-exports	5	15	-	20
Possible stock build up	-	-	2	2
1999/2000 Import Requirement	22	92	-	114
Anticipated commercial imports	22	90	-	112
Food aid needs	-	2	-	2
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	1	1
of which: Delivered	-	-	1	1
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	15	67	63	145
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				129
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:				106
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				33