Area:
|
30 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
Highland rainy climate with mild winter. Rainy season: Oct.-April. Cool temperatures in May-September with frost hazard
|
Population:
|
2.19 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$540 (2000)
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked
|
Logistics:
|
All imports through South Africa
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Maize, sorghum, vegetables
|
Marketing year:
|
April/March; Lean season: February-April
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
75 percent
|
Prospects for the 2002 main season cereal harvest, about to start, have deteriorated with persistent heavy rains in the past months. Excessive precipitation since the beginning of the rainy season in October, coupled with hailstorm and pest infestations in parts, has adversely affected yields of maize, wheat and sorghum crops. Preliminary production forecast indicate a reduced harvest for the third consecutive, which is likely to aggravate the already precarious food security situation in several areas.
Food shortages are being experienced by large groups of poor households affected by last year's poor crop. Food aid is being distributed by relief organizations to 36 000 most vulnerable people. WFP is distributing 2 200 tonnes of maize meal, beans and vegetable oil to about 7 000 families in five eastern, southeastern and northeastern districts until the next harvest.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total | |
|
Previous five years average production |
26 |
- |
166 |
192 |
Previous five years average imports |
57 |
3 |
148 |
208 |
|
2001/02 Domestic Availability |
39 |
- |
144 |
183 |
2001 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
18 |
- |
141 |
159 |
2001 Production (rice in milled terms) |
18 |
- |
141 |
159 |
Possible stock drawdown |
21 |
- |
3 |
24 |
|
2001/02 Utilization |
84 |
8 |
272 |
364 |
Food use |
83 |
8 |
242 |
333 |
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
3 |
3 |
Non-food use |
1 |
- |
30 |
31 |
Exports or re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2001/02 Import Requirement |
45 |
8 |
128 |
181 |
Anticipated commercial imports |
45 |
8 |
125 |
178 |
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
3 |
3 |
|
Current Aid Position |
||||
Food aid pledges |
- |
- |
3 |
3 |
of which: delivered |
- |
- |
3 |
3 |
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
3 |
3 |
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
3 |
3 |
for export |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) |
38 |
4 |
110 |
152 |
Indexes |
||||
2001 Production as % of average: |
83 | |||
2001/02 Import requirement as % of average: |
87 |
