The 2002 cereal crop, mainly wheat but also small amounts of barley, was harvested in September. Despite an increase in the area planted this season, less than 50 percent of normal rainfall and scorching temperatures during the growing period seriously affected yields. The latest estimate of cereal output is 161 000 tonnes, less than 25 percent of annual cereal production of the early 1990s. Production of potatoes and other vegetables is also reported to be much below normal. The dry conditions also severely affected the already disaster-hit pastoralists, whose herds have been decimated following three years of harsh winters and dry summers.
To cover domestic consumption requirements for the 2002/03 marketing year (October/September) the country will need to import an estimated 220 000 tonnes of wheat, while imports of some 15 000 tonnes of rice will also be required. Given that the country has a serious balance of payment problem, commercial imports will only cover part of this requirement and allocation of food aid will be necessary to meet the deficit.