FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 02/02 - AFGHANISTAN (1 February)

AFGHANISTAN* (1 February)

Despite recent beneficial rain and snowfall, production of wheat and barley in 2002 will be seriously jeopardized by shortage of agricultural inputs and disruptions in farming activities caused by the recent military operations which coincided with the planting season.

The food situation remains grave notwithstanding the improved delivery of food assistance. During the past three years, the country has suffered a devastating drought which compounded the impact of years of conflict and brought a large section of the population to the brink of starvation. The 2001 cereal output has been estimated at about 2 million tonnes, about one-half of the production in 1998. As a result, cereal import requirements in the current marketing year (July/June 2001/02) were forecast at a near record volume of some 2.2 million tonnes. Distribution of emergency food is being seriously hampered by heavy snowfall.

Agricultural rehabilitation/reconstruction measures in Afghanistan will need to urgently address, inter alia, the restoration of irrigation systems, input supply to farmers, farm power and livestock production. FAO has appealed for some US$21 million to assist the country in these critical areas.