FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3 - December 2002 p.46
| Area: | 823 000 sq km | |
| Climate: | Mostly arid (south-west and coast) or semi-arid. Only north and north-east gets regular rainfall in November-April | |
| Population: | 1.98 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$1 960 (2001) | |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Arid to semi-arid country; cereal production mainly in the north | |
| Logistics: | Good road and railway network | |
| Major foodcrops: | Millet, maize, sorghum, wheat | |
| Marketing year: | May/April; | |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 48 percent | |
Abundant rains in the third dekad of November and first week of December in northern growing areas, benefited planting of the 2003 cereal crops. Early prospects are favourable.
The food supply situation is tight for large numbers of people in rural areas following two consecutive reduced cereal harvests. While most of the deficit in marketing year 2002/03 (May/April) estimated at 156 000 tonnes, is expected to be covered on commercial basis, only 71 000 tonnes have been received in the country by late November. Prices of cereals are reported one-quarter higher than a year earlier. Some 345 000 most vulnerable people face food shortages and are in need of food assistance until the next harvest. The Government plans to distribute 30 000 tonnes of cereals to the affected population and has allocated up to US$ 14 million for the emergency operation.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 5 | - | 105 | 110 |
| Previous five years average imports | 56 | - | 92 | 148 |
| 2002/03 Domestic Availability | 6 | - | 75 | 81 |
| 2002 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 6 | - | 63 | 69 |
| 2002 Production (rice in milled terms) | 6 | - | 63 | 69 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 12 | 12 |
| 2002/03 Utilization | 54 | - | 183 | 237 |
| Food use | 53 | - | 176 | 229 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | - | - | 7 | 7 |
| Exports or re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | 1 | - | - | 1 |
| 2002/03 Import Requirement | 48 | - | 108 | 156 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 48 | - | 108 | 156 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | - | - |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 20 | - | - | 20 |
| of which: delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 28 | - | 95 | 124 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2002 Production as % of average: | 63 | |||
| 2002/03 Import requirement as % of average: | 105 |