|
Area: |
124 320 sq.km |
|
Climate: |
Highland areas: tropical wet/dry with unreliable rains. Lowlands: semi-arid to arid |
|
Population: |
2.82 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: n.a. |
|
Specific characteristics of the country: |
Low-income food-deficit country |
|
Logistics: |
Roads inadequate, gateway to northern Ethiopia |
|
Major foodcrops: |
Sorghum, teff, millet, maize, pulses |
|
Marketing year: |
January/December; Lean season: August-November |
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: |
73 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Seasonal dry conditions prevail. Planting of the 1997 cereal crops is not scheduled until June. The 1996 cereal and pulses output was poor due to severe dry weather in July/August when crops were at a critical stage in growth. An FAO Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission to the country in December estimated 1996 grain production at 132 000 tons, some 11 percent below the previous year and 29 percent lower than the average. Import requirements for 1997 were estimated at 289 000 tons. Commercial imports are anticipated at 120 000 tons, leaving a deficit of 169 000 tons to be covered by food aid. Against this requirement, pledges until mid-April amounted to 17 000 tons.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
1996 Production |
10 |
- |
122 |
132 |
|
1997 Utilization |
156 |
- |
265 |
421 |
|
Food use |
155 |
- |
240 |
395 |
|
Non-food use |
1 |
- |
25 |
26 |
|
Stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997 Import Requirement |
146 |
- |
143 |
289 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
70 |
- |
50 |
120 |
|
Food aid needs |
76 |
- |
93 |
169 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
13 |
- |
4 |
17 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) |
55 |
- |
85 |
140 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: | ||||
|
1997 import requirement as % of normal: | ||||
|
1997 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): | ||||