Area:
|
96 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
Southern half tropical wet, northern half tropical wet-dry; rainy season: March-November
|
Population:
|
2.83 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: n.a.
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country
|
Logistics:
|
Ports and roads adequate
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Rice, roots and tubers, oils
|
Marketing year:
|
January/December; Lean season: July-August
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
48 percent
|
Growing conditions are favourable so far but crop prospects remain constrained by continuing civil disturbances in some areas. The 1999 rainy season has progressed satisfactorily with generally well distributed and above-normal rainfall. Output is expected to be similar to or above last year's level, except in the north where fighting broke out in Lofa County in August. Agricultural production has been increasing in Bong, Bomi, Montserrado and Nimba counties, but not in Maryland, Sinoe and Grand Kru where poor roads have made access to farms difficult. With the exception of Lofa County, relative peace prevails elsewhere in the country and has exerted a positive influence on farming activities. The cultivated area should be substantially higher than in 1998, with rice production expected to be around 80 percent of pre-war level and 100 percent for cassava. Although a shortage of basic agricultural inputs was a limiting factor for farmers, it was minimized by substantial distribution of seeds and tools and improved technical assistance to resettling farm families. In Lofa County, most of the estimated 25 000 displaced people are farmers who will not be able to harvest their crops. Several thousands have been displaced from Voinjama and Kolahum in upper Lofa to Tarvey in lower Lofa.
The overall food situation has improved significantly in 1999 as rice production in 1998 was up to 70 percent of pre-civil war levels, compared to 25 percent in 1995, and cassava production reached almost 100 percent of pre-civil war levels compared to 50 percent in 1995. Food supply on the urban markets is relatively stable, and in general, prices are relatively lower than in 1998. Food supply in rural areas continued to be tight, particularly during the rainy season when roads are in poor condition. Resettlement and rehabilitation activities have allowed refugees and internally displaced persons to return to their homes. However, humanitarian programmes for Liberian returnees and Sierra Leonean refugees were disrupted by insecurity and looting in Lofa county, where the nutritional and health conditions of displaced people has deteriorated. About 90 000 refugees from Sierra Leone remain in Liberia. The country continues to rely heavily on food aid.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total | |
|
Normal Production |
- |
78 |
1 |
79 |
Normal Imports |
35 |
70 |
40 |
145 |
of which: Structural food aid |
25 |
5 |
40 |
70 |
|
1999 Domestic Availability |
11 |
148 |
1 |
160 |
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
210 |
1 |
211 |
1998 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
140 |
1 |
141 |
Possible stock drawdown |
11 |
8 |
- |
19 |
|
1999 Utilization |
46 |
248 |
21 |
315 |
Food Use |
44 |
223 |
20 |
287 |
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Non-food use |
2 |
25 |
- |
27 |
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
1999 Import Requirement |
35 |
100 |
20 |
155 |
Anticipated commercial imports |
5 |
100 |
- |
105 |
Food aid needs |
30 |
- |
20 |
50 |
|
Current Aid Position |
||||
Food aid pledges |
59 |
- |
20 |
79 |
of which: Delivered |
59 |
- |
20 |
79 |
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
- |
- |
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
- |
- |
for export |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
15 |
79 |
7 |
101 |
Indexes |
||||
1998 production as % of normal: |
267 | |||
1999 import requirement as % of normal: |
107 | |||
1999 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
71 |
