FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops and Shortages 06/02 - GUINEA-BISSAU (3 June)
The rains have not yet started. The weather remained mostly dry until the first dekad of June. This situation may seriously affect crop production as the growing season usually starts in late April/early May. The unseasonably dry weather has reportedly been causing many difficulties for local communities. Several wells have dried up, farm animals are dying and more than 40 percent of children under the age of five are suffering from malnutrition.
Cereal import requirement in 2001/02 (November/October) is forecast at 70 000 tonnes, including 10 000 tonnes of food aid.