Area: |
1 259 000 sq.km |
Climate: |
From north to south: arid, semi-arid
and tropical wet-dry; rainy season: May-Oct. |
Population: |
7.4 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per
caput: US$200 (1999) |
Specific characteristics of the
country: |
Low-income food-deficit country;
land-locked Sahelian country. |
Logistics: |
Roads inadequate during rainy season |
Major foodcrops: |
Millet and sorghum, roots and tubers,
tree nuts |
Marketing year: |
November/October; Lean season:
August-September |
Share of cereals in total calorie
intake: |
52 percent |
Following generally above-average rains in July, precipitation decreased significantly in the Sahelian zone in August, improved in early September, except in the east of the Sahelian zone, and remained widespread but low during the second dekad, moving southwards during the third dekad and in early October. In the Sahelian zone, millet and sorghum suffered water stress and harvest prospects are not favourable. Pastures are starting to dry up in the Sahelian zone. Grasshopper attacks have been reported in several regions. Grain eating birds caused some damage to millet and maize in Gu�ra prefecture. No Desert Locust activity is reported, while some Migratory Locusts have been reported in Ati area along the Batha river.
A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission in late October estimated the 2000 cereal production at 890 000 tonnes, which is 28 percent below 1999 record level and 17 percent below the last five years average. Following this reduced harvest, the food supply situation is likely to tighten, notably in the deficit zones of Batha, Biltine, northern Gu�ra, Kanem, Lac, north eastern Chari Baguirmi and northern Ouadda�. Prices of cereals started to increase significantly on local markets. Following above-average harvests in 1998 and 1999, farmers were able to replenish their stocks and transfers from surplus to deficit areas are possible. The national security stock remains at a very low level of 1 350 tonnes (plus 1 600 tonnes to be purchased after harvest), which is limiting possible government interventions.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 3 | 111 | 957 | 1 071 |
| Previous five years average imports | 56 | 9 | 8 | 73 |
| 2000/01 Domestic Availability | 10 | 67 | 978 | 1 055 |
| 2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 3 | 69 | 818 | 890 |
| 2000 Production (rice in milled terms) | 3 | 47 | 818 | 868 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 7 | 20 | 160 | 187 |
| 2000/01 Utilization | 70 | 77 | 993 | 1 140 |
| Food Use | 69 | 69 | 833 | 970 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 5 | 5 |
| Non-food use | 1 | 8 | 154 | 163 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | 7 | 7 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2000/01 Import Requirement | 60 | 10 | 15 | 85 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 52 | 8 | 10 | 70 |
| Food aid needs | 8 | 2 | 5 | 15 |
| 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) | 9 | 9 | 110 | 128 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2000 production as % of average: | 83 | |||
| 2000/01 import requirement as % of average: | 116 |
