RUSSIAN FEDERATION (8 February)
Latest reports indicate that winter cereals have been planted on about 14.3 million hectares, some 3 million hectares up on last year. Heavy snow cover has provided good protection for winter crops, which usually suffer heavy losses due to harsh weather conditions. Not only will the protective snow cover reduce winter-kill but will also provide good soil moisture for spring crops. Overall a good cereal harvest for this year is foreseen. However, much will depend on early spring weather conditions when much of the snow melts and crops are still frost prone. In 2004 the Russian Federation produced more than 77 million tonnes of grains compared with some 66.2 million tonnes in 2003. Last year’s harvest included some 45.3 million tonnes of wheat, 17.2 million tonnes of barley, 3.5 million tonnes of maize and 2.9 million tonnes of rye. Aggregate cereal exports for the 2004/05 marketing year is forecast at more than 7.7 million tonnes. Aggregate cereal imports in the same period is estimated at 3.2 million tonnes of mainly food-quality wheat and rye.
Military operations and civil strife in Chechnya continue to disrupt social and economic activities. The conflict has displaced more than 300 000 people, 100 000 of whom live in the neighbouring Ingushetia. Under the current 18-month Emergency Operation Programme (EMOP), which began in January 2004, WFP will assist some 259 000 most vulnerable population in Chechnya and Ingushetia with 47 882 tonnes of food over a period of 18 months.