FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 11/00 - LAOS* (6 November)
As part of a wider phenomenon, which affected neighbouring countries in the region, floods also damaged various areas of Laos. Overall, seven central and southern provinces were flooded in August resulting in serious damage to crops and, to a lesser extent, livestock and fishery. Paddy in some areas remained submerged for up to three weeks. The worst affected provinces were Khammouane, Savannakhet, Saravane and Champasack1.
Rice is the country's principal crop accounting for 85 percent of total cropped area. Other crops grown include maize (second largest in acreage), sugarcane and groundnut. Most of the rice is produced in the wet season (June to November), largely under rain fed conditions and in the central and southern provinces along the Mekong River Valley, where annual rainfall ranges from 1500 mm to 2200 mm. 70 percent of which is received between May and October. August and September are generally the wettest months, when heavy rains result in serious flooding, causing significant crop losses. Farmers in Laos do not generally apply any fertilizers to rice under rain fed conditions during the wet season. Since rice is largely grown under rain-fed conditions during the wet season when floods and droughts are common, production is susceptible to climatic variability as this year. Serious floods in 1995 and 1996 resulted in substantial rice deficits. This year the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry estimated that over 42 000 hectares of paddy were totally destroyed by the floods
In view of the flood damage, the outcome of this year's paddy crop, earlier forecast at around 2.2 million tonnes, now remains uncertain. Last year the country produced a record paddy crop of around 2.1 million tonnes. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is planned to visit the country in January 2001 to assess the harvest and food supply prospects.
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