NIGERIA (4 August)
Prospects for the current main season crops are generally favourable following good rains so far. Moreover, paddy output is forecast to increase this year reflecting higher producer prices due to a rise in import duties imposed by the Government, which also set up a national rice security task force to boost local rice production.
The overall food supply situation is stable. However, some population groups estimated to number some 750 000 people in the states of Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba remain food insecure following ethnic and religious conflicts in the last two years.