|
Area: |
582 000 sq.km |
|
Climate: |
Eastern coast is tropical wet, the rest tropical wet-dry. Rains in October-March; tropical cyclones |
|
Population: |
15.72 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 230 (1995) |
|
Specific characteristics of the country: |
Low-income food-deficit country |
|
Logistics: |
Dilapidated roads and lack of spare parts and tyres |
|
Major foodcrops: |
Rice, roots, tubers, maize, fruit |
|
Marketing year: |
April/March; Lean season: February/March |
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: |
60 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
In late January, cyclone Gretelle hit the southern coast of the country, bringing torrential rains and severe flooding. Some 100 people were killed in addition to damage to property, infrastructure and crops. This was followed in early February by cyclone Josie which hit the north-west bringing large amounts of rain to the vanilla-growing region, causing considerable damage to crops and infrastructure. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment and Agricultural Rehabilitation mission visited in March 1997 the areas affected by cyclone Gretelle to evaluate the impact of the cyclone on the crop and food situation and estimate food and agricultural needs. The Mission estimated the total crop loss at 7 000 tons of rice, 123 000 tons of cassava and 8 000 tons of cash crops (mainly coffee). The aggregate cereal production in 1997 is anticipated to reach 2.7 million tons, about the same as last year,provided the recent outbreak of locust is effectively controlled.
With above-average paddy production during the past three years, the national food supply situation is expected to be satisfactory. The cereal import requirement should be largely met by commercial channels and structural food aid.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
7 |
2 476 |
152 |
2 635 |
|
Normal Imports |
48 |
53 |
10 |
111 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
13 |
11 |
10 |
34 |
|
1997/98 Domestic Availability |
5 |
1 746 |
180 |
1 931 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
5 |
2 550 |
180 |
2 735 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
5 |
1 700 |
180 |
1 885 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
46 |
- |
46 |
|
1997/98 Utilization |
73 |
1 821 |
180 |
2 074 |
|
Food Use |
71 |
1 681 |
140 |
1 892 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
2 |
140 |
25 |
167 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
15 |
15 |
|
1997/98 Import Requirement |
68 |
75 |
- |
143 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
57 |
65 |
- |
122 |
|
Food aid needs |
11 |
610 |
- |
21 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
16 |
2 |
6 |
24 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
4 |
107 |
9 |
120 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
104 |
|||
|
1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
129 |
|||
|
1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
62 |