The cereal harvest in the 2002/03 marketing year is estimated at 577 000 tonnes, which is about 140 000 tonnes less than the somewhat improved harvest of the preceding year. The cereal harvest this year includes 216 000 tonnes of wheat and 300 000 tonnes of maize, which compares with 305 000 tonnes of wheat and 350 000 tonnes of maize in 2001/02. An exceptionally cold and dry winter and strong windstorms compromised significant winter crop areas. Improved precipitation during the critical months of summer favoured the maize crop. Food aid will once again be necessary to fill the gap between requirements and supply.
Within the framework of the current WFP PRRO, a total of 153 FFW projects mainly on rehabilitation of irrigation systems and reclamation of land are on-going in all five targeted regions. A total of 17 700 tonnes of mixed food is planned to be distributed to project participants and their families (4 person ration) as a payment for their work. The PRRO is scheduled to be finished at the end of March 2003. Up-to-date 92 percent of the total commitment has been resourced.
A PRRO Review and Formulation mission visited Georgia in April 2002 and recommended continuation of PRRO activities. A new operation plans to distribute 50 493 tons of food to 209 500 vulnerable persons during a three-year period from April 2003 to March 2006. The project proposal envisages several key changes including targeting of vulnerable persons in rural areas who cannot participate in FFW activities and assessment of needs of vulnerable IDPs with a view to setting up soup kitchens if complementary resources are provided by local authorities and discontinuation of assistance to institutions.