TIMOR-LESTE, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF (26 May)
The harvest of maize, the main staple food crop of the country is complete and the maize output is estimated to decline by about 34 percent to 70 000 tonnes in 2003 from 106 000 tonnes the year before due to the severe drought at the beginning of the season. Maize production was affected by the late onset of rains, shortage of maize seeds and other inputs, reduced planted area and generally unfavourable rainfall.
Part of the shortfall in maize production of maize is estimated to be offset by the projected increase of 12 percent in rice production to 40 000 tonnes, primarily due to an increase in the area under irrigation.
As a result of the lower overall cereal production, cereal import requirements for the marketing year 2003/04 area estimated at 68 000 tonnes. All of the rice import requirement of about 33 000 tonnes is expected to be met by the private sector. The deficit in maize is anticipated to be covered about half-half by private and public imports. 20 000 tonnes food aid are need to cover the food needs of 150 000 vulnerable people according to estimation by an FAO/WFP Mission to Timor-Leste in April/May, 2003.