So far rainfall has been above normal in northern areas of the country, below normal in central parts and about normal elsewhere. The outlook for the 1996/97 cereal crop to be harvested from April is favourable. Crops in the south are at vegetative stages and doing well as a result of recent rains. However, inadequate rains in several western provinces in late February/early March at a crucial stage in crop growth may result in some replanting and reduced yields.
Food supply difficulties are a cause for concern in some provinces. Areas such as Bengo, Cuanza Sul, Cuanza Norte, Luanda, Malange and Zaire Provinces appear to be the most affected. Of 219 000 tons of food aid pledged by donors for the current marketing year, 160 000 tons have been delivered so far.
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is scheduled to visit the country in April to estimate the 1997 harvest and evaluate the food supply situation for 1997/98.
Rainfall, so far has been above average in the far north and most of the country continue to receive light rains. Despite some dry periods in February, crop conditions appear to be generally good. Coarse grains are mostly at flowering stage while late planted crops in the south are at vegetative stage. Prospects remain favourable and output is currently projected to be similar to last year.
The food supply situation for the current marketing year remains satisfactory following a good cereal harvest in 1996. Cereal import requirements are expected to be met largely by commercial channels.
Following dry conditions in late January and early February which reduced soil moisture considerably which may affect yields, widespread rains in early March provided relief for the maize crop. Crops in the mountains are at tasselling, cobbling and grain filling stages. Elsewhere, crops are at late flowering stages. Provided favourable conditions prevail until April, a second consecutive year of good harvest is in prospect.
The food supply situation for the current marketing year remains satisfactory as a result of the bumper harvest of 1996. The cereal import requirement is being met by commercial means.
In late January, cyclone Gretelle hit the southern coast of the country, bringing torrential rains and severe flooding. Some 100 people were killed in addition to damage to property, infrastructure and crops. This was followed in early February by cyclone Josie which hit the north-west bringing large amounts of rain to the vanilla-growing region, causing considerable damage to crops and infrastructure. As a result, prospects for the 1997 paddy and other crops remain uncertain.
With above-average paddy production during the past three years, the national food supply situation remains satisfactory. The cereal import requirement is estimated at 141 000 tons, much of which is being met by commercial channels and structural food aid.
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment and Agricultural Rehabilitation mission is currently visiting the areas affected by cyclone Gretelle to evaluate the impact of the cyclone on the crop and food situation and estimate food and agricultural needs.
Cumulative rainfall has so far been below normal in the north, while it ranged from normal to above normal in southern and central parts. Widespread and heavy rains fell over many parts of the country in January and February, benefiting crops to be harvested from April. The heavy rains also resulted in extensive flooding along the Shire and Luo rivers in February, displacing over 80 000 people.
Pending a complete assessment of the damage to crops and livestock, the government has appealed for international assistance for flood victims as well as for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads and bridges. There is an urgent need to ensure that food supplies reach the affected people during the lean period prior to the next harvest. Of a total food aid pledge of 102 000 tons for the current marketing year, only 19 000 tons have been delivered so far.
Widespread and heavy rains were received in January and February in most parts of the country, benefiting crops at vegetative and flowering stages. However, several weeks of torrential rains in February caused extensive flooding along the country�s main rivers, the Zambezi, Pungue and Buzi, displacing people and damaging crops and property.
The food supply situation is a cause for concern, particularly in central areas affected by floods which caused considerable economic and social damage. An estimated 300 000 people affected by floods in central Mozambique, are in need of assistance. The government has appealed for 30 million dollars worth of international assistance for flood victims covering short and medium-term needs for repairing structural damages to roads and bridges and meeting the urgent needs of the affected population. Of 216 000 tons of food aid pledged by donors for the current marketing year, 101 000 tons have been delivered so far.
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is scheduled to visit the country in April to evaluate the impact of floods on crops, estimate the 1997 harvest and evaluate the food supply situation for 1997/98.
Despite a late start to the season which delayed planting, widespread and above normal rains were received in northern crop growing areas in January and February, benefiting crops and pastures. Provided favourable growing conditions continue through April, good yields can be expected and a good harvest is in prospect. As a result of continuous rains recently, pastures have improved considerably and reservoirs throughout the country have been replenished. This gives hope for a good winter wheat crop later in the year.
The national food supply condition remains satisfactory with cereal stocks at adequate levels and planned imports arriving on schedule.
Following continued heavy rains in major growing areas in December and January which resulted in delays of up to a month in planting, dry and hot weather conditions prevailed during the crucial period of mid-January to February, which considerably reduced soil moisture and may affect yields. Widespread rains in early March provided a welcome relief particularly for the maize crop. The outlook for harvest is favourable. Total area planted to maize is estimated at 3.361 million hectares, up from 3.307 million hectares in 1996. However, as a result of the anticipated impact on yields of the recent dry spell, output is forecast at some 7.7 million tons, compared to nearly 10 million tons in 1996.
This would still be sufficient to cover the country's domestic requirements. Soybean production is forecast at 80 000 tons this season compared to 50 000 tons in 1996. More land was planted this year to soybean compared to sunflower seed of which production is expected to drop to 550 000 tons from 720 000 tons last year.
Rainfall has generally been adequate so far, with the exception of a prolonged dry spell during the last two weeks of January which may affect yields. Average rains continue to fall, providing favourable conditions for the maize crop now at tasselling, cobbling and grain filling stages. Prospects so far are favourable for harvest and, provided current conditions prevail until April, 1997 cereal production should be comparable to the good crop in 1996.
The national food supply situation remains satisfactory for the current marketing year as a result of last year�s good harvest. The cereal import requirement is being met by commercial channels.
Moderate to heavy rains in most areas of the country in February, generally benefited coarse grains. However, excessive rainfall caused waterlogging, floods and leaching of soil nutrients in parts of southern and central provinces. Yellowing of crops was observed in some areas, especially in central province where crop yields initially anticipated to be high may be reduced to average. Maize is at tasselling to flowering stages in the western half of the country and reported to be in good condition. In north-eastern areas, the crop is at vegetative to tasselling stage. Overall, maize harvest is expected to be average to above average.
The national food supply situation remains satisfactory for the 1996/97 marketing year which is drawing to a close. However, with the arrival during the lean period of many refugees from neighbouring Zaire, estimated by the government in early March at some 6 000 people, mostly along the Tanganyika lake, there will be need for emergency food assistance for the affected people in these areas.
Widespread and regular rainfall since December in most growing areas has raised expectations of another good cereal harvest in 1997. However, several weeks of continued rains in January and February resulted in flooding, mainly in the Zambezi Valley, with damage to property and livestock. The heavy rains may also reduce crop yields and the projected bumper maize harvest as crops suffered from water-logging and soil leaching.
The abundant rainfall, however, replenished several large reservoirs for the first time in many years. As a result, the upcoming winter wheat crop is expected to reach record levels and thus exceed the 1996 crop which was already triple the previous year. This assumes that the government will succeed, during the coming months, in restoring wheat growers confidence following marketing problems experienced last year, including delays in getting export licences. The national food supply situation for the 1996/97 marketing year which is drawing to a close remains satisfactory following a good crop in 1996 and the availability of ample stocks during the current lean period.