Abundant rains in the south in March and April allowed the planting of the first maize crop which is developing satisfactorily. Precipitation was widespread and abundant in May and decreased in the south in mid-June. Land preparation is underway for the planting of rice. Rains reached the north in early May where millet and sorghum are being planted.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory and markets are well supplied. For the 1995/96 marketing year (July/June), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 325 000 tons, mainly wheat and rice.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (6 June)
Widespread rainfall in April and May allowed the planting of the first maize crop which is now developing satisfactorily. Abundant rains in late May/early June covered almost the entire country.
In mid-April a mutiny started in the army and disrupted trade activities in the capital. The situation has now returned to normal after a peace agreement in early June. Following a good harvest in 1995, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory. For the 1995/96 marketing year (September/August), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 34 000 tons, mainly wheat and rice. 27 000 Sudanese and 5 000 Chadian refugees are still in the country and are receiving a food assistance.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Staple foodcrops are roots, tubers and plantains and markets are well supplied with these crops. Cereal production is estimated at some 27 000 tons, mainly maize. For the 1995/96 marketing year (July/June), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 108 000 tons, mostly wheat, and structural food aid requirement at 3 000 tons. However, one donor has pledged 17 000 tons of rice to be delivered in June.
The staple foodcrops are sweet potatoes, cassava and plantains and the country annually imports some 11 000 tons of wheat and rice, half of which is in the form of food aid.
The staple foodcrops are cassava and plantains. Production of cereals, mainly maize is estimated at around 26 000 tons. The country needs to import the bulk of its wheat and rice requirement which is estimated at 62 000 tons. No food aid is necessary.
Abundant rainfall was received in April and May. Precipitation decreased in mid-June. The planting of the main maize crop has started in the north, while the second maize crop is being harvested in central and southern parts. In the north, cassava planting is underway. The staple foodcrops are roots and tubers which represent 60 percent of the calorie intake.
The security situation remains tense in refugee camps along the border with Rwanda and Burundi. Fighting has been reported in the Goma region, where about 720 000 people are still living in refugees camps, as well as in the Masisi area. This has caused large population displacement. The security situation is becoming very tight in the whole area, as the Zairian army is unable to maintain peace in Masisi. In April 1996, the number of Rwandan and Burundese refugees receiving food assistance was estimated at 1 170 000. New refugees have also arrived in Uvira in May, following fighting in the Citiboke region of Burundi.
The food supply situation remains tight in urban areas and in the Kivu region. A outbreak of cholera had been reported in Kinshasa in April. Inflation, which had decreased in 1995 again reached about 1 000 percent in the first half of 1996. The tense political climate, coupled with growing security concerns are severely affecting the population. Agriculture remains the only growth sector. Despite high production potential, a substantial part of cereal requirement is imported, due to lack of transport and marketing infrastructure between rural and urban areas.