Planting of the 2002 secondary “belg” grain crops is underway. The belg crop accounts for some 10 percent of total grain production but in some areas it provides most of the annual grain production.

The 2001 main “meher” season grain harvest was estimated by FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission late last year at 8.8 million tonnes, about 5 percent above the average of the previous five years. The bumper harvest has resulted in sharply falling grain prices in most markets, negatively impacting on farmers’ income, and could also negatively affect this year’s production. On the other hand, the low prices offer an opportunity for a significant build-up of stocks at all levels. Export possibilities to neighbouring countries will be restricted because of good harvests in neighbouring Kenya and Sudan.

The overall good harvest masks the existence of food insecure communities in most parts of the country due to localized drought, population displacement and limited purchasing power. Emergency food requirements in 2002 are projected at about 560 000 tonnes targeting some 5.2 million people. The Mission strongly recommended local purchases to the extent possible for donors wishing to give food aid to the country. (For more details, the Mission Report can be found at the address http://www.fao.org/giews/english/alerts/2002/SRETH202.htm)