Africa report 05/96 af605p.htm

BURKINA FASO

Area:	274 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet-dry in south, semi-arid in north; one rainy season: May-October
Population:	10.56 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 300 (1994)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; Sahelian land-locked country
Logistics:	Roads inadequate during rainy season; adequate rail link to Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)
Major foodcrops:	Millet, sorghum, pulses, maize
Marketing year:	November/October; Lean season: July-September
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	73 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Rainfall began in mid-April and land preparation is about to start. The final official estimate of 1995 cereal production is 2.31 million tons (including paddy), some 6 percent lower than estimated by an FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission in October 1995. The reduction is mainly due to a substantial decline in maize production. Cereal production fell in 15 provinces, notably in Soum, Seno, Yatenga and Bam, in the north, where the decline exceeded 20 percent. The overall decline was offset to some extent by increases in other provinces, particularly in Gnagna and Nahouri.Although 1995 cereal production remained about average, food supply difficulties are reported in some areas where cereal prices increased sharply following a poor maize harvest and substantial grain exports to neighbouring countries. In December 1995, the Government made an international appeal for emergency assistance for 700 000 people in 17 provinces considered most at risk. It estimated food aid needs at almost 25 000 tons of cereals for three months and indicated that they could be purchased locally or borrowed from the National Security Stock, the level of which is currently 27 000 tons plus a financial fund allowing the purchase of a further 25 000 tons. A government assessment mission recently visited affected provinces and recommended selling 9 700 tons of cereals at a subsidized price in 11 provinces before May. These cereals can be taken from the national security stock and discussions are underway with donors to schedule its reconstitution. In early April, a meeting was also held with NGOs to organize the programme and coordinate emergency activities. Therefore, donors are urged to undertake local purchases in response to the appeal, or as part of their on-going or future food aid programmes. Tuareg refugees who have fled from Mali in the last five years (mainly since June 1994) are also currently receiving food assistance. UNHCR and WFP estimate their total number at 39 000, of whom 33 000 are receiving food assistance in refugee camps. Since the beginning of the year an epidemic of meningitis affected about 33 000 people, of which more than 3 400 died.

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

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal production	-	33	2 250	2 283
Normal imports	40	80	40	160
of which: Structural food aid	5	3	30	38
1995/96 Domestic availability	-	56	2 454	2 510
1995 Production	-	56	2 224	2 280
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	230	230
1995/96 Utilization	40	116	2 494	2 650
Food use	39	106	2 120	2 265
of which: local purchase requirement	(-)	(-)	(25)	(25)
Non-food use	1	10	349	360
Exports	-	-	25	25
1995/96 Import Requirement	40	60	40	140
Anticipated commercial imports	35	57	10	102
Food aid needs	5	3	30	38
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	3	1	21	25
of which: Delivered	-	1	9	10
Donor financed purchases	-	-	5	5
of which: For local use	-	-	3	3
For export	-	-	2	2
Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year)	4	10	201	215
Indexes
1995 production as % of normal:				100
1995/96 import requirement as % of normal:				88
1995/96 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs):				100

FAO/GIEWS - April 1996