FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3, December 2000 GAMBIA 19

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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$340 (1999)
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


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.


CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2000/01 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)


  Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total
Previous five years average production - 27 92 119
Previous five years average imports 31 81 2 114
2000/01 Domestic Availability - 21 141 163
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 33 141 174
2000 Production (rice in milled terms) - 21 141 163
Possible stock drawdown - - - -
2000/01 Utilization 40 101 141 283
Food Use 24 87 102 213
of which: local purchase requirement - - 5 5
Non-food use 1 4 24 29
Exports or Re-exports 15 10 - 25
Possible stock build up - - 15 15
2000/01 Import Requirement 40 80 - 120
Anticipated commercial imports 40 78 - 118
Food aid needs - 2 - 2
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) 17 61 71 149
Indexes        
2000 production as % of average:       146
2000/01 import requirement as % of average:       105

FAO/GIEWS - December 2000

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