FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 11/01 - ANGOLA* (5 November)
Below-average precipitation during October, particularly in central parts, has delayed planting of 2002 maize and stressed earlier sown crops. Better rains are needed to avoid reductions in plantings and yields of maize and for the sowing of the millet and sorghum crops in southern parts. Agricultural activities are also hindered by renewed fighting in most of the provinces, mainly in the unstable areas of Bié, northeastern parts of Huila, Moxico, Malange, Huambo and Uige, and the resulting displacement of rural people from their farms. The flare up of military activity has also further limited the distribution of humanitarian assistance outside the provincial capitals.
Aggregate cereal production in 2001 rose by 5 percent from the previous year to 535 000 tonnes due to an increase in the area sown and generally favourable weather. However, despite the improvement in domestic production, the food supply situation remains difficult for 2.7 million IDPs and other vulnerable sections of the population. An FAO/WFP Mission in May 2001 estimated that about 1.34 million people were still in need of emergency food aid.
The cereal import requirement in the 2001/02 marketing year (April/March) is estimated at 581 000 tonnes of cereals, including 176 000 tonnes of food aid. Due to resource constraints, WFP is not reaching all the target beneficiaries and has frequently reduced food rations. The currently assisted population amounts to 820 000 beneficiaries. WFP estimates that there will be a critical shortfall of sugar in December and that maize and pulses will be exhausted by February 2002. There is also a shortfall in the funding of transport logistics and non-food items. This funding is crucial for the transport of seeds and tools to support food production during the current cropping season.