FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops and Shortages 06/02 - MALAWI (4 June)
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission visited the country from 21 April to 11 May 2002 and estimated maize production in 2002 at 1 539 000 tonnes, 10 percent below last year’s poor harvest. The major cause was erratic rainfall with long dry spells, but also reduced input supplies. Cereal supply in 2002/03 marketing year (April/March) was estimated at 1.7 million tonnes, while the national cereal requirement was estimated at 2.2 million tonnes, resulting in an import requirement of 485 000 tonnes. Commercial imports of cereals were forecast at 277 000 tonnes and food aid requirements at 208 000 tonnes, which will need to be covered by the Government and external assistance.
Approximately 3.2 million people seriously affected by the combined effects of reduced food availability and purchasing power need emergency food assistance estimated at approximately 207 689 tonnes of cereals, mainly maize. National production of roots and tubers has increased, and this will moderate the impact of the maize shortage in many areas. Emergency provision of agricultural inputs such as maize seed, bean seed, fertilizer and hand hoes was also recommended to assist affected farming households to carry out winter cultivation in wetlands and irrigated areas in May/June and for the main planting season in October/November.