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Area: |
567 000 sq.km |
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Climate: |
South-western part arid (Kalahari desert);rest semi-arid with some rains in Dec.-Feb. |
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Population: |
1.44 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 2 590 (1993) |
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Specific characteristics of the country: |
Land-locked country; drought-prone; agricultural production only in the east and south-east; swamps in the northern parts; desert in the west |
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Logistics: |
Imports through South Africa |
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Major foodcrops: |
Sorghum, pulses, vegetables |
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Marketing year: |
April/March; Lean season: January/March |
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake: |
55 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The first season light rains began in mid-October. Widespread rains covering most parts of the country were received in mid-November and continued in December. This contributed positively to soil moisture build-up and timely planting of crops.
The food security situation remains relatively tight, particularly for agricultural households whose situation has been undermined by successive droughts and the Government has proposed measures for drought relief and mitigation, to be supported by donors.
The country's import programme which currently stands at 238 000 tons is expected to cover consumption requirements of all commodities. As of end-September, a total of 130 000 tons of cereals had been received, mostly commercial maize and wheat imports.
CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995/96 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | 1 | - | 59 | 60 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 60 | 8 | 116 | 184 |
| of which: Structural food aid | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| 1995/96 Domestic availability | 1 | - | 47 | 48 |
| 1995 Production | 1 | - | 45 | 46 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | 2 | 2 |
| 1995/96 Utilization | 68 | 8 | 210 | 286 |
| Food use | 61 | 8 | 201 | 270 |
| Non-food use | - | - | 9 | 9 |
| Re-exports and exports | 7 | - | - | 7 |
| 1995/96 Import Requirement | 67 | 8 | 163 | 238 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 67 | 8 | 163 | 238 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | - | - |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | 7 | 7 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | 7 | 7 |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 42 | 6 | 139 | 187 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1995 production as % of normal: | 77 | |||
| 1995/96 import requirement as % of normal: | 129 | |||
| 1995/96 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): | - | |||