FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 11/00 - THE GAMBIA (6 November)
Cumulative rainfall this year has decreased compared to 1999 but rains were better distributed. Pest infestation remained limited. A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission estimated the 2000 cereal production in mid-October. The total harvested area under cereal is estimated at 137 979 hectares representing a 19 percent increase from last year and 32 percent above the last five year average. Overall yields are expected to increase from last year level by 5 percent for late millet and by 2 percent for swamp rice. By contrast, they decreased for sorghum. The total production for cereal is estimated at a record of 174 000 tonnes representing an increase of about 15 percent compared to last year and 46 percent from the last five years average.
Following two successive record crops in 1999 and 2000, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory. In spite of the increase in food production, two risk zones have been identified : Lower Rived Division (LRD) (Jarra East and Jarra Central) and Central River Division (CRD) North (all the five districts : Lower and Upper Saloun, Nianija, Niani and Sami) will have a short fall of food due to blister beetles and striga infestations in the fields. Poor germination of groundnut due to high infestations of seeds at storage level also resulted in decreasing groundnut production.
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