FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/99 - JORDAN (6 September)
A recent FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission found that the worst drought in decades seriously damaged cereal and horticultural crops. The livestock sector was also affected and many sheep farms face financial ruin, as costs increased and products diminished in quality and quantity. An outbreak of foot and mouth disease also exacerbated drought- induced losses.
The Mission forecast the lowest recorded domestic cereal harvest at 13 000 tonnes in 1999. At this level, only about 0.6 percent of domestic consumption needs, instead of the normal 10 percent, will be met. The Mission estimated a total cereal import requirement of 1.94 million tonnes comprising 742 000 tonnes of wheat, 725 000 tonnes of barley, 370 000 tonnes of maize and 99 000 tonnes of rice for the 1999/2000 marketing year (July/June). About 80 percent of the requirement is anticipated to be commercial, leaving a deficit of 387 000 tonnes to be covered by emergency and programme food aid. Some 100 000 tonnes have already been pledged. An Emergency Operation for food assistance to 180 000 vulnerable people, for US$429 000 for a period of nine months was approved by WFP in July 1999.
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