FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 02/02 - BURUNDI (4 February)
The outcome of the recently harvested 2002 first season crops was good. Production of cereals and beans was estimated at almost the same as in the previous year, at 86 000 tonnes and 69 000 tonnes respectively. Roots and tubers increased by 9 percent to 527 000 tonnes and bananas and plantains by 3 percent to 477 000 tonnes. For the non-cereal crops, the increase reflects larger plantings in response to sufficient availability of planting material, stable security situation in most of the country, and adequate rains. However, plantings and yields of cereals and beans were constrained by shortages of seeds (despite large distributions of agricultural inputs by humanitarian organizations), early cessation of rains in some areas and excessive precipitation in parts. By December 2001, prices of food staples in the main provincial markets had declined significantly compared to their levels of a year ago.
However, despite the overall satisfactory harvest, production was constrained by insecurity in eastern provinces and parts of Bujumbura rural Province. The food situation of some 432 000 internally displaced people is of serious concern and food assistance continues to be required.