Harvesting of the 2001/02 winter wheat crop will commence in mid-May. An estimated 57 000 hectares were planted in September/October 2001 and provisionally an output of 117 000 tonnes of wheat is expected. Under the Double Cropping Programme, the area will immediately after harvest be re-sown with spring wheat and spring barley before panting of the 2002/03 main season maize and rice crops. The aggregate production of winter and spring cereals is provisionally forecast at 178 000 tonnes, but following favourable rainfall, the figure may need to be revised. Together with the main season cereal crops harvested in September 2001, estimated at 2.9 million tonnes the total cereal production for consumption in the 2001/02 marketing year (November/October) is provisionally estimated at 3.1 million tonnes, compared to 2.3 million tonnes last year. Another important main staple is potatoes. For 2001/02 the potato production is estimated at 1.9 million tonnes or 475 000 tons in grain equivalent, against 290 000 tonnes last year.

Despite the higher food production, domestic supplies fall short of requirements by some 1.47 million tonnes in 2001/02. The commercial import capacity is not likely to exceed 100 000 tonnes, leaving 1.37 million tonnes to be covered by food aid or concessional imports. Of this, the WFP estimates that 525 000 tonnes of cereals and 85,000 tonnes of other food are required to provide nutritional support to 6.4 million beneficiaries, mainly children, pregnant and nursing mothers and elderly people. Against this requirement, so far about 275 000 tonnes, including carry-overs from last year that arrived in in early 2002. Thus, early in the third quarter, the WFP pipeline will have dried up if additional donor support is not immediately forthcoming. In addition, other donors have pledged 360 000 tonnes of cereals, of which 236 000 tonnes have been delivered. International donors are urged to increase pledges and expedite their delivery.