|
Area: |
25 000 sq.km |
|
Climate: |
Highland rainy climate with moderate temperature (200C); two rainy seasons |
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(February-May and September-November) |
|
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Population: |
7.685 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 180 (1995) |
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Specific characteristics of the country: |
Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country |
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Logistics: |
Roots, tubers, pulses, plantains, sorghum, maize |
|
Major foodcrops: |
January/December; Lean season: November-December |
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Marketing year: |
25 percent |
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake: |
CURRENT SITUATION
Early prospects for the recently planted 1997 second "B" season food crops is favourable. Seeds and other agricultural inputs were distributed by FAO and other international agencies and the area planted is estimated to have further increased following the massive return of refugees last November. Good rains in April and March have favoured establishment of the crops.
Food production of the 1997 A season was estimated by an FAO/WFP Crop and Food Assessment in December to be higher than in the previous year, although still below the pre-civil strife average. The output of cereals and root and tubers increased by 23 percent reflecting larger plantings and abundant rains but that of pulses, the main crop of the season, declined 12 percent due to excessive rains. Production of bananas and plantains increased slightly, with improved crop husbandry partially compensated by crop damage by heavy winds in important growing areas. Despite the overall improvement, however, production was sharply reduced in the Gikongoro, Gitarama and parts of Butare and Kigali rural prefectures which were affected by severe dry weather during the season.
The reduction in bean production, coupled with a sharp increase in demand from an estimated 1.3 million returning refugees, has aggravated the already precarious food supply situation in the country. Bean prices have risen sharply from their level of last year.
Import requirements for the first half of 1997 are estimated at 30 000 tons of cereals, 45 000 tons of pulses, 124 000 tons of roots and tubers and 522 000 tons of bananas and plantains. In grain equivalent terms, the total deficit is estimated at 141 000 tons. After accounting for commercial imports, food aid requirements are estimated at 81 000 tons of cereals and 33 000 tons of pulses. The vulnerable population is calculated at 2.571 million persons, or one-third of the population. Security conditions have drastically deteriorated in the past two months, particularly in the four prefectures bordering Zaire, with increased number of violence incidents reported. Food aid distribution is being hampered in these areas.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
10 |
9 |
276 |
295 |
|
Normal Imports |
10 |
6 |
3 |
19 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
3 |
1 |
3 |
7 |
|
1997 Domestic Availability |
6 |
5 |
174 |
185 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
6 |
8 |
171 |
185 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
6 |
5 |
171 |
182 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
3 |
3 |
|
1997 Utilization |
23 |
18 |
187 |
228 |
|
Food Use |
23 |
18 |
165 |
206 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
9 |
9 |
|
Non-food use |
- |
- |
22 |
22 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997 Import Requirement |
17 |
13 |
13 |
43 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
10 |
10 |
6 |
26 |
|
Food aid needs |
7 |
3 |
7 |
17 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
9 |
7 |
41 |
57 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
3 |
28 |
31 |
|
Donor-financed local purchases |
- |
- |
9 |
9 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
3 |
2 |
22 |
27 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
63 |
|||
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1996/97 import requirement as % of normal: |
226 |
|||
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1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
243 |