|
Area: |
911 000 sq.km |
|
Climate: |
Mostly tropical wet-dry, south-west tropical wet, extreme north semi-arid |
|
Population: |
115 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 260 (1995) |
|
Specific characteristics of the country: |
Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
|
Logistics: |
Ports adequate, roads inadequate during rainy season |
|
Major foodcrops: |
Roots and tubers, coarse grains, rice |
|
Marketing year: |
January/December; Lean season: April-May |
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: |
43 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Rains started but remained very limited in early March, became abundant over the south during the second dekad of March and moved towards the north during the third dekad. Planting of maize is underway in the south and land preparation for the planting of rainfed rice is underway in the centre. Shortages of fertilizers, improved seeds and pesticides were reported during the past planting season, following an import ban imposed by the government and difficulties in the distribution of locally produced fertilizers. As a result, farmers have switched from maize crop to millet, sorghum and groundnuts, which are less fertilizer dependent. Nevertheless, following good climatic conditions during the growing season and low pest infestations, final overall cereal output for 1996 is 21.6 million tons, which is higher than last year but lower than the preliminary estimate. About 55 million tons of roots and tubers, which represent the main foodcrops, were also produced.
The food supply is still constrained by high levels of post-harvest losses and high distribution costs. In order to reduce large post-harvest losses, the Government has started a food storage programme, including the construction of 26 silos, with a 636 000 tons storage capacity, and the installation of 500 improved storage structures for farmers. Cross border exports of maize and rice into Niger and Chad are reported. The cereal import requirement for 1997 is estimated at 1 250 000 tons, including 900 000 tons of wheat and 250 000 tons of rice.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
45 |
2 800 |
16 970 |
19 815 |
|
Normal Imports |
850 |
350 |
80 |
1 280 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997 Domestic Availability |
67 |
1 873 |
18 467 |
20 407 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
47 |
3 122 |
18 467 |
21 636 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
47 |
1 873 |
18 467 |
20 387 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
20 |
- |
- |
20 |
|
1997 Utilization |
967 |
2 123 |
18 567 |
21 657 |
|
Food Use |
936 |
1 673 |
14 330 |
16 939 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
31 |
450 |
3977 |
4 458 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
250 |
250 |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
10 |
10 |
|
1997 Import Requirement |
900 |
250 |
100 |
1 250 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
900 |
250 |
100 |
1 250 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
8 |
14 |
125 |
147 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
109 |
|||
|
1997 import requirement as % of normal: |
98 |
|||
|
1997 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
- |