NIGERIA (9 February)
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Land preparation for the first maize crop is underway in the South. Plantings will start with the arrival of rains, usually in March. Aggregate cereal production in 2004 has been estimated at about 22.8 million tonnes, similar to the previous year record crop, reflecting generally favourable growing conditions during the rainy season.
Cereal imports have trended upwards in recent years, due mainly to high urban population growth, changing consumption pattern and inadequate agricultural performance. Consequently, the Government has taken a series of measures to improve agricultural production, including the Special Program for Food Security, jointly implemented with FAO, 25 percent subsidy on fertilizers and zero tariffs on imported agrochemicals, the selection of key sub-sectors for rehabilitation or expansion, the tightening of controls against illegal imports. Moreover, the Government is planning to ban the importation of rice by 2006. Imports of cereals in 2005, mainly rice and wheat are forecast to decrease to about 3.68 million tonnes.
Communal violence in central and northern Nigeria in May 2004 resulted in the death of hundreds of people and the displacement of at least 50 000 others. Most of the internally displaced persons are living in camps bordering Plateau State and many farmers were reportedly afraid of planting crops in outlying fields. Food security in the region may be affected.