Generally dry weather in October and first week of November, particularly in central and northern parts, is delaying planting of the 2003 cereal crops, normally planted from the second half of October. Free distribution of agricultural inputs, mainly fertilizers, is progressing well.
The food supply situation remains tight following two consecutive poor cereal harvests. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in April-May 2002 estimated the cereal deficit at 433 000 tonnes.
For WFP’s food aid appeal of 171 000 tonnes of cereals for Malawi in the Southern Africa Regional Emergency Operation, the level of pledges by late October were adequate and 83 000 tonnes have already been received in the country. WFP stepped up its distribution in October, reaching approximately 2.3 million beneficiaries. This figure represents more than a 100 percent increase from September. Against commercial imports of maize, estimated by an FAO/WFP Mission in April-May at 225 000 tonnes, the Government has made arrangements to import 351 000 tonnes of maize, including replenishment of the Food Security Reserve. By mid-September 71 000 tonnes had arrived in the country.Prices of maize, which have declined from their peak in March, had started to increase from August but early October they have remained generally below their levels of last year.