FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 02/02 - HONDURAS (1 February)
Harvesting of the 2001/02 second season cereal and bean crops has been completed and outputs for the year are estimated at below-average levels, the result of the severe drought which affected the first season crops. About 500 000 tonnes of maize, the main cereal, have been collected in 2001 which compares to the past 5-year average of 550 000 tonnes and is far from the 658 000 tonnes harvested in 1996 when the crop developed under normal weather conditions. Sorghum output was also a low 60 000 tonnes. The food supply situation continues to be tight in the most drought affected departments of Choluteca, Francisco Moraz�n, Intibuca, Valle, El Paraiso, Comayagua and El Paraiso and an increase in malnutrition, particularly among children, is expected.