FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops and Shortages 06/02 - CHAD (19 June)
Above-normal first rains were registered in mid-March in the extreme south and in mid April in the south-west. They decreased significantly and were below average in May, but resumed in early June.
Following release of final production estimates by national statistical services, the aggregate 2001 cereal production is estimated at a record 1.32 million tonnes, 49 percent higher than the previous year and 24 percent above average. As a result, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory, especially in the chronically food deficit areas in the Sahelian zone which harvested poor crops in 2000. However, some 143 000 people in the Sudanian zone are at risk of food shortages as a result of floods that affected 144 000 hectares of arable land.
Import requirement of cereals in 2001/02 marketing year (November/October) is estimated at 71 000 tonnes, including 13 000 tonnes of food aid.