IRAQ* (2 October)
Cereal production may be affected by serious shortages of fertilizers and other agricultural inputs. The 2005 total cereal production, harvested last June, has been tentatively estimated at 3.1 million tonnes, slightly higher than the previous year’s.
The food security situation in the country remains extremely fragile. Recent events indicate a deterioration of security conditions which led to an increase in humanitarian needs in crisis areas. UN and other international agencies are monitoring the situation and providing assistance as needed.