Despite favourable crop growing conditions, this year’s production, as in past years, will be affected by reduced plantings as a result of insecurity at sowing time.
After 27 years of civil war, a cease-fire agreement has been signed between the Government and rebel groups. Food assistance to large numbers of internally displaced and vulnerable people has improved with the relative peace and the de-escalation of the military conflict in many parts of the country. Also roads previously closed due to insecurity are now open. However, the presence of landmines and poor conditions of the roads and broken bridges mean that the switch from costly airlift operations to cheaper ground transport will be very gradual. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission will visit the country in mid-May.
Harvesting of the 2002 cereal crops, mainly sorghum, is about to start. Prospects are uncertain. Despite adequate precipitation in recent months, a prolonged dry spell in January is likely to have affected yields, in particular those of the maize crop.
The overall food supply situation remains satisfactory. The country imports most of the food it requires.
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 hailstorms and pest infestations in parts, has adversely affected yields of maize, wheat and sorghum crops. Preliminary production forecasts indicate a reduced harvest for the third consecutive year, which is likely to aggravate the already precarious food security situation in several areas.
Food shortages are being experienced by many poor households affected by last year’s poor crop. The Government has recently declared a state of famine in the country. 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.
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is currently in the country.
Harvesting of the 2002 cereal crops, mainly rice, is underway. Overall prospects are satisfactory reflecting generally adequate rains and the absence of significant locust infestation during the growing season. However, production is expected to be reduced in parts. In northeastern coastal areas, affected by a prolonged dry spell in December and January, heavy rains in March may have arrived too late to prevent yield reductions of the rice crop. In southeastern parts, below-average rains in March are also likely to have adversely affected maize yields.
Shortages of rice, sugar, salt and essential non-food items, including fuel, are being experienced in Antananarivo, due to disruption of transport (road blocks, damaged bridges, etc.) by the current political crisis. Prices of food staples are on the increase and the food supply situation is likely to deteriorate if the crisis is not resolved soon.
Widespread normal to above-normal rains during the third dekad of March improved prospects for the 2002 cereal crops affected by a dry spell in the previous two dekads. Despite normal cumulative rainfall since the beginning or the season, yields may have been negatively affected by a late start of the rainy season and erratic precipitation, with prolonged dry spells and floods in parts.
The food supply situation is extremely tight following last year’s reduced maize harvest, depletion of strategic reserve and delayed imports. According to civic and church groups, more than 300 people have died by starvation in recent months. As a result of the food shortages, the current maize crop is being consumed green, which will affect supplies in marketing year 2002/2003 (April/May). WFP launched in February an Emergency Operation aiming to distribute 11 400 tonnes of food to assist 301 000 people.
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is currently in the country.
Harvesting of the 2002 cereal crops is about to start. In the main maize growing northern areas, a good harvest is expected reflecting adequate precipitation during the growing season. However, prolonged dry spells in the southern provinces of Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane, as well as in southern parts of the Central Provinces of Manica, Sofala and Tete, are expected to result in reduced cereal production. However, overall, cereal production is expected to increase over the good harvest last year. In the three Southern provinces, it is estimated that up to 40 000 hectares of various food crops were lost to dry weather, seriously affecting 50,000 households. In general, yields are anticipated to be reduced for the third consecutive year in these areas. Emergency food aid is currently being distributed by WFP to 190 000 most affected people.
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is currently in the country.
Normal to above-normal rains in February and March benefited the developing 2002 cereal crops. However, precipitation arrived too late to prevent yield reductions in the maize crop already affected by a prolonged dry spell in January. The area planted to millet/sorghum and maize was reduced due to insufficient rains at planting time. Latest estimates indicate an area planted to cereals of 216 000 hectares, comprising 195 400 hectares of sorghum and 20 600 hectares of maize. This is 20 percent lower than last year. The coarse grains output is forecast at 82 000 tonnes, 20 percent below the cereal crop of 2001. The already tight food supply situation for farmers who gathered a poor harvest last year, and for vulnerable groups in urban areas, is expected to deteriorate in marketing year 2002/2003 (May/April).
Prospects for the 2002 main maize crop, to be harvested from May, are favourable. This reflects generally adequate rains since the beginning of the season and an increase of 5 percent in the area planted. Official production forecasts by mid-April point to a maize crop of some 9.0 million tonnes, some 18 percent above last year’s crop of 7.5 million tonnes.
Following large exports of maize in marketing year 2001/2002 (May/April), the supply is tight and prices are at high levels. The country is importing 100 000 tonnes of white maize and about 290 000 tonnes of yellow maize to replenish stocks.
Prospects for the 2002 cereal crops are poor. After abundant rains at the beginning of the cropping season, which encouraged larger plantings of maize, a mid-season dry spell at the critical tusselling stage seriously reduced yields. The output is forecast to be reduced for the third consecutive year.
The food situation is extremely tight as a result of two successive reduced harvests, low levels of reserves and inadequate imports. The Government has appealed for emergency food aid.
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is currently in the country.
Prospects for the 2002 cereal harvest, mainly maize, have further deteriorated with dry weather in March in the southern half of the country. Rains in previous months in these areas were also below average and yields are anticipated to be low. By contrast, normal to above-normal precipitation in March in northern parts benefited maturing cereal crops. Rains in these areas have been adequate since the beginning of the growing season and crops are reported in good condition. Overall, the output is expected to be reduced for the second consecutive year.
Food shortages are reported from several locations as a result of last year’s poor maize harvest and delayed imports. Prices of food have increased sharply since last July. WFP is currently distributing emergency food aid to 1.1 million most-affected people in 19 districts. However, it is expected that only some 20 000 tonnes out of the 42 000 tonnes required, will be distributed before the next harvest.
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission will visit the country from 6 May.
Prospects for the 2002 cereal crops, about to be harvested, are unfavourable. The area planted to the main maize crop is provisionally estimated at 1.26 million hectares, 3 percent above the reduced level of last year but 11 percent below that of 2000. Yields are anticipated to be reduced as a result of a prolonged dry spell in January and February. The maize output is forecast lower than the poor crop of 2001. The marketing year 2002/03 (April/March) will begin with completely depleted reserves and the already very tight food supply situation is anticipated to further deteriorate in 2002/03. Protracted humanitarian assistance will be necessary for the most vulnerable groups.
Prices of maize have continued to increase despite the price control imposed by the Government, reflecting inadequate levels of maize imports. Food shortages are reported from several locations of the country, particularly in Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North, Masvingo, Midlands, Manicaland, and parts of Mashonaland West and Central Provinces. WFP is providing emergency food assistance to the most vulnerable populations but donor contributions fall short of requirements.
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is currently in the country.