AFGHANISTAN (3 June)
FAO, in collaboration with the Government of Afghanistan and WFP, conducted a crop planting survey and is in the process of conducting a pre-harvest survey. Early analysis of information show that this year’s harvest will be significantly higher than last year’s owing primarily to improved precipitation in most of the country and larger areas planted with cereals. Area under rainfed wheat has, in particular, increased significantly this year in view of favourable growing conditions for rainfed cereals and reportedly at the expense of some grazing and marginal lands. FAO and WFP are in the process of fielding a joint Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission starting from mid-June. A report will be issued soon after the mission.
Despite an expected good harvest this year, access to food remains difficult for a large number of vulnerable households. Therefore, targeted food assistance in conjunction with concerted efforts to increase food production in the country will be necessary to meet the food requirements in the coming year. WFP, in partnership with FAO, various government agencies and other stakeholders, is about to launch a National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment to further refine information on food needs and the identification of the most vulnerable population in need of assistance.