Africa report

NIGER

CURRENT SITUATION

An FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission in late October estimated total cereal production at 2 381 000 tons (including rice in paddy equivalent), close to last year’s production and above the recent average.

The first rains were registered in April in the Dosso and Tahoua departments and in May in Tillabery. There was a weak start to the season in Dosso and the main growing areas of the country did not receive a good soaking until mid June. In July the rains extended over the agro-pastoral zones. In August rainfall increased over most of the country although it remained below the level of 1994 especially in Dosso and Agadez department. After a brief dry spell at the beginning of September the rains continued to the end of the month, which is beyond the normal cessation in Tillabery and Tahoua departments. Cumulative rainfall is low than the exceptional 1994 level throughout the country and below the 1961-1990 average in Dosso, Tahoua and Agadez but above average elsewhere.

The first wet plantings took place in April in Dosso, Tillabery, Tahoua and Maradi departments and proceeded slowly in the southern areas of the departments in May. Rains were particularly regular and well distributed for the critical period of July to early September. No dry-spells of ten or more days were reported during this period, except in localized areas of Tillabery, Dosso, Tahoua and Zinder. The end of the rains in September allowed crops to reach maturity without significant losses, although some late planted crops suffered from low soil moisture at the filling stage. No flooding was reported in the irrigated sector, in contrast to last year and total area increased. Growing conditions were favourable for cultivation in low-lying areas.

The rainfall conditions favoured the proliferation of pests. Senegalese grasshopper infestations necessitated treatment on 380 000 hectares compared to 135 000 hectares last year. Desert Locust hoppers were observed in Agadez and Diffa and there were localized outbreaks of other crop eating insects and birds.

The overall food supply situation is satisfactory and markets are well supplied. Prices decreased following the marketing of harvested crops. Significantly higher livestock prices than last year have resulted in good terms of trade for pastoralists. For the 1995/96 marketing year (November/October), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 185 000 tons and the food aid requirement at 15 000 tons. However, localized surpluses of coarse grains are also available for ongoing food aid programmes.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995/96 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)