FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 02/02 - TAJIKISTAN (1 February)
Grain production in 2001 was estimated at 300 000 tonnes, which was even lower than the drought reduced harvest in 2000 by about 52 000 tonnes. Wheat output, the main staple crop, was estimated at 233 000 tonnes in 2001 compared with 283 000 tonnes in 2000 and 366 000 tonnes in 1999. Wheat requirement in the country is about 1 million tonnes, nearly 800 000 tonnes of which is for food use. This year similar areas to last year have been seeded to winter cereals but harvest levels will strongly depend on the level of precipitation and water availability in the two main rivers, the Amu and Syr rivers, during late winter and Spring. Tajikistan has been in the grip of severe drought three years in succession.
Cereal import requirement (mainly wheat) for 2001/02 marketing year (July/June) is estimated at 788 000 tonnes, 400 000 tonnes of which is to be commercially procured and remainder to be provided as food aid.
From July 2001 to January 2002, WFP distributed 459 000 tonnes of mixed food commodities. An additional 59 000 tonnes are expected to arrive during February-May 2002.