FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 06/01 - BOTSWANA (5 June)
Preliminary estimates of the recently harvested 2001 coarse grains indicate an output of 9 000 tonnes, 57 percent down on last year. Maize production, estimated at only 2 000 tonnes, is 78 percent lower than in 2000. Sorghum and millet are forecast to decline by 42 percent to 7 000 tonnes. The sharp decline in production reflects a prolonged dry spell from late December to early February, coupled with high temperatures. Total crop failure has been reported in some areas.
As a result of the poor harvest and low carry-over stocks, the cereal import requirement for the 2001/02 marketing year (April/March) has increased to 258 000 tonnes, including 66 000 tonnes of wheat. While these requirements are expected to be covered on commercial basis, the food situation is anticipated to be very tight for poor households that gathered a reduced harvest.