IRAQ* (19 February)
The outlook for the 2003 winter grain crops in Iraq are generally uncertain due to prospects of possible war. Furthermore, cereal production may be affected by serious shortages of fertilizers, spare parts for agricultural machinery and other agricultural inputs. Production of cereals (mainly wheat and barley) in 2002 is estimated at about 1.7 million tonnes, about 7 percent higher than the previous year but slightly lower than the previous five years average.
Iraq’s total cereal production has averaged below 2 million tonnes in the last five years, less than half the level in 1990. Agricultural productivity, particularly in the major producing regions of central and southern Iraq, has continued to suffer from limited investment, shortage of inputs and deteriorating irrigation infrastructure. Three consecutive years of severe drought (1999-2001) have also devastated agricultural production. In 2002, improved weather resulted in increased cereal production.
Cereals imported under the SCR 986 oil-for-food deal have led to significant improvements in the overall food supply situation. However, nutritional problems remain a serious problem. An Emergency Operation was jointly approved on 17 February 2003 by FAO and WFP for emergency pre-positioning of food in neighbouring countries for 900 000 people, worth about US$ 11.8 million, for a period of ten weeks.