FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops and Shortages 06/02 - UZBEKISTAN (31 May)
The cereal harvest this year is estimated at some 3.9 million tonnes, 251 000 tonnes higher than the drought reduced harvest in 2001. Locust invasion that has recently affected neighbouring northern Afghanistan and parts of Tajikistan may affect crops in Uzbekistan. In addition, the forecast harvest may also be threatened by below average precipitation and lower levels of water in the two main rivers, Amu and Syr Darya, which provide more than 90% of irrigation water for Uzbekistan. The worst affected areas for the past two years have been Karakalpakstan and Khorzam autonomous regions, where a large number of people required emergency food assistance.