Area:
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567 000 sq.km
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Climate:
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South-western part arid (Kalahari desert); rest semi-arid with some rains in Dec.-Feb.
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Population:
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1.585 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 3 600 (1998)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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east; swamps in the northern parts; desert in the west
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Logistics:
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Imports through South Africa
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Major foodcrops:
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Sorghum, pulses, vegetables
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Marketing year:
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April/March; Lean season: January/March
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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55 percent
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Cyclone Eline in late February aggravated the already serious humanitarian situation caused by flooding earlier in the month which destroyed some 10 000 homes and affected 73 000 people. The Government had estimated the flood damage at US$8.5 million and appealed for international assistance to deal with the emergency.
An assessment of crop losses in the eastern growing areas is not yet available. However, there is concern about the effect of the floods on livestock, which is of great importance to farmers' food security. Overall, abundant rains of the past February and March have likely benefited the main sorghum crop, to be harvested from mid-April.
Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
Normal Production | 1 | - | 59 | 60 |
Normal Imports | 60 | 8 | 116 | 184 |
of which: Structural food aid | - | - | 20 | 20 |
1999/2000 Domestic Availability | 2 | - | 20 | 22 |
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | - | 20 | 20 |
1999 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | - | 20 | 20 |
Possible stock drawdown | 2 | - | - | 2 |
1999/2000 Utilization | 67 | - | 205 | 272 |
Food Use | 67 | - | 201 | 268 |
of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
Non-food use | - | - | 4 | 4 |
Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
1999/2000 Import Requirement | 65 | - | 185 | 250 |
Anticipated commercial imports | 65 | - | 185 | 250 |
Food aid needs | - | - | - | - |
Current Aid Position | ||||
Food aid pledges | - | - | - | - |
of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
for export | - | - | - | - |
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 42 | - | 126 | 168 |
Indexes | ||||
1999 production as % of normal: | 33 | |||
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: | 136 | |||
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: | - |