Harvest of the 2002 third season crops, mainly vegetables and sweet potatoes in swamp areas, is well advanced. The output is generally satisfactory. Production during the 2002 second season was also good and estimated 4 percent higher than the previous year’s level.
Rains in the third dekad of August and first dekad of September facilitated land preparation for the 2003 first season, which has started. FAO, in collaboration with other humanitarian agencies, has started distribution of agricultural inputs, mainly seeds and hoes, to assist some 192 000 vulnerable people. However, planting operations could be disrupted by persistent insecurity in the eastern provinces of Gitega and Ruyigi Provinces and in parts of Karuzi Province where insecurity during August resulted in fresh waves of population displacement.
The overall food supply situation has improved with the good harvest of 2002. Prices of sweet potatoes, bananas and cassava remain stable or declined during August. By contrast, prices of beans continue to increase reflecting low production last season.