FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 06/01 - PAKISTAN (18 June)
A third consecutive drought has affected crops in many parts of the country. During the last three years, Balochistan and parts of Sindh Provinces have received below average rainfall, which has progressively turned into a drought. These persistent drought conditions are now affecting several other parts of Pakistan. The rainfed wheat crop has been seriously reduced while significant yield losses have been sustained in the irrigated crops. The output of wheat in 2001 is forecast at 17-18 million tonnes, down from last year’s bumper harvest of 22 million tonnes. the livestock has also been adversely affected, reflecting shortage of pasture and feed. Most rivers are substantially below normal which will adversely affect prospects of subsequent rice and sugarcane crops.
Given a reduced harvest, the food supply situation is expected to tighten in the marketing year 2001/02 (May/April). However, the availability of some 3 million tonnes of wheat stocks from last year’s record harvest are sufficient to cover the shortfall. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission has just returned from the country and its report will be issued shortly.