GEORGIA (2 June)
Latest reports point to an aggregate cereal harvest of about 667 000 tonnes, which is slightly below the harvest in 2002. This estimate is tentative and much depends on weather conditions during the critical months of early summer. Inadequate precipitation, irrigation water shortages and wind storms usually damage significant areas of maize, which is together with wheat the most important staple crop in Georgia. Aggregate maize harvest is tentatively forecast at 400 000 tonnes and wheat harvest at 206 000 tonnes. Aggregate cereal utilization requirement is estimated at 1.27 million tonnes. Cereal import requirement is estimated at 545 000 tonnes, which is to be met by commercial imports and food aid.
The current WFP PRRO began in April 2003, which is scheduled to end by March 2006. By the end of the current PRRO 50 493 tonnes of food will have been distributed to 209 500 vulnerable people. The current PRRO aims to target Chechen refugees in Eastern Georgia (Pankisi Gorge) as well as pensioners and other vulnerable groups. Nearly 70 percent of the aggregate food aid will be distributed to 160 000 vulnerable people through food for work activities in six regions of the country.