Area:
|
10 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
Tropical wet-dry climate; rainy season: May-October
|
Population:
|
1.44 million (2001 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
|
The rainy season is now well established. The first rains were registered during the first dekad of June and permitted land preparation and first early plantings. The weather remained mostly dry during the second dekad but rains covered the entire country during the third dekad and became abundant in early July. Plantings are well underway. Following a record harvest in 2000, cereals seed availability is adequate.
With two successive bumper crops in 1999 and 2000, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Markets are well supplied. Prices of cereals remained low and stable. However, the Central River Division (CRD) North gathered poor crops due to blister beetles and striga infestations in early millet fields. About 250 tonnes of cereals are needed for about 9 300 affected persons. More than 2 000 people fled to The Gambia from Casamance in southern Senegal, following heavy fighting between the Senegalese army and rebel fighters. WFP will provide food in the border villages or in the Kanilai transit camp.
Wheat
|
Rice
|
Coarse grains
|
Total
| |
Previous five years average production
|
-
|
27
|
92
|
119
|
Previous five years average imports
|
31
|
81
|
3
|
115
|
2000/01 Domestic Availability
|
-
|
22
|
142
|
164
|
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)
|
-
|
34
|
142
|
176
|
2000 Production (rice in milled terms)
|
-
|
22
|
142
|
164
|
Possible stock drawdown
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2000/01 Utilization
|
40
|
102
|
142
|
284
|
Food use
|
24
|
88
|
102
|
214
|
of which: local purchase requirement
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Non-food use
|
1
|
4
|
24
|
30
|
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
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
2
|
of which: delivered
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
2
|
Donor-financed purchases
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
of which: for local use
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
for export
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)
|
17
|
61
|
71
|
148
|
Indexes
|
||||
2000 Production as % of average:
|
148
| |||
2000/01 Import requirement as % of average:
|
104
|