FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 06/01 - MALAWI (5 June)
Latest preliminary estimate of the recently harvested 2001 maize crop has been revised downwards to 2.047 million tonnes, a decline of 18 percent from the bumper crop of last year but still at the average level of the past five years. A mid- season dry spell in southern and central parts and subsequent excessive rains in 13 of the country’s 27 districts adversely affected cereal production. Severe floods in these districts affected 346 000 people and resulted in the loss of 50 000 hectares of foodcrops. WFP has targeted 275 000 people for emergency food assistance.
Despite the decline in production, the maize harvest is anticipated to be sufficient to satisfy domestic requirements in marketing year 2001/02 (April/March).