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Area:
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1 267 000 sq.km
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Climate:
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Northern part arid, southern part semi-arid with rains in June-October
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Population:
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10.34 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$190 (1999)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked Sahelian country
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Logistics:
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Roads inadequate during rainy season
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Major foodcrops:
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Millet and sorghum, pulses, roots and tubers
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Marketing year:
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November/October; Lean season: July-September
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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70 percent
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The rainy season is now well established. The first rains came earlier than usual, during the first two dekads of May, allowing land preparation and first plantings to start. Rainfall decreased in late May and early June but picked up in mid-June and covered all the producing areas by late June/early July. It is estimated that about 53 percent of the villages had finished planting by 20 June, instead of 44 percent last year. Crops are emerging and already tillering/elongating in Tahoua and Zinder departments. The pest situation is mostly calm. However, grasshoppers and caterpillar attacks have been reported and localised treatments have been undertaken.
Following a below-average crop in 2000, estimated at 2 143 000 tonnes, which was 25 percent below the 1999 level and about 10 percent below the average of the previous five years, the food supply situation is tight in the traditionally food deficit areas. Prices of cereals increased significantly in March and April, and have remained higher than average. The most at-risk zones are in Tchirozérine, Mainé-Sorea, N'Guigmi, Filingué and Ouallam arrondissements. The Government launched an appeal for international food assistance and seeds for the next growing season. The government and donors have bought cereals for sale at subsidized prices in the areas that experienced production shortfalls. The cereals, mainly millet and sorghum, are being sold at 10 000 F.CFA (about US $14) per 100-kg bag instead of the market price of 18 000 to 20 000 F.CFA. More than 1 billion F.CFA francs has been made available from the National Food Security Fund and the Donor Common Fund to buy cereals. In addition, 2 000 tonnes of seeds have been distributed in the affected areas. Financial assistance has also been given for off-season irrigated crops.
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Wheat
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Rice
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Coarse grains
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Total
| |
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Previous five years average production
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7
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63
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2 313
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2 383
|
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Previous five years average imports
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44
|
100
|
231
|
375
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2000/01 Domestic Availability
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21
|
59
|
2 372
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2 452
|
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2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)
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11
|
61
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2 072
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2 143
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2000 Production (rice in milled terms)
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11
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39
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2 072
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2 122
|
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Possible stock drawdown
|
10
|
20
|
300
|
330
|
|
2000/01 Utilization
|
68
|
159
|
2 602
|
2 829
|
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Food use
|
62
|
152
|
2 287
|
2 500
|
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of which: local purchase requirement
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-
|
-
|
-
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-
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Non-food use
|
1
|
8
|
315
|
324
|
|
Exports or re-exports
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5
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
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Possible stock build up
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
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2000/01 Import Requirement
|
47
|
100
|
230
|
377
|
|
Anticipated commercial imports
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45
|
92
|
215
|
352
|
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Food aid needs
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2
|
8
|
15
|
25
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Current Aid Position
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||||
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Food aid pledges
|
-
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3
|
-
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3
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of which: delivered
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-
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3
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-
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3
|
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Donor-financed purchases
|
-
|
-
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-
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-
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of which: for local use
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-
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-
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-
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-
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for export
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-
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-
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-
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-
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Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)
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6
|
15
|
221
|
242
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Indexes
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||||
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2000 Production as % of average:
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90
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2000/01 Import requirement as % of average:
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101
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