CAMBODIA (18 February)
The harvest of the rainfed main season paddy crop, representing some 80 percent of the aggregate paddy output, is now complete. The output from this crop is estimated to decline by some 22 percent to 2.5 million tonnes as a result of a reduction in the area sown and unfavourable weather early in the season. By contrast, an above-average output is expected from the dry season irrigated paddy crop, due for harvest in March-April, primarily due to an increase in area sown by 200 000 hectares as encouraged by the Government. Hence, aggregate production of paddy in 2002 is estimated at 3.37 million tonnes or 2.09 million tonnes of milled rice, a reduction of about 0.73 million tonnes, or 18 percent, compared to last year’s record crop. Preparation of land and seedling is underway for the minor maize crop to be planted from April.
The Government reports that drought and floods in 2002 affected some 3.4 million people. Of these, according to WFP, 671 000 require food assistance. Moreover, even in years of normal weather conditions, about one third of the population lives below the poverty line and are chronically food insecure and in need of food relief.