FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report 02/97

MAURITANIA

CURRENT SITUATION

Seasonably dry conditions prevail. In October, on the basis of the national production survey, a joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission estimated 1996 aggregate cereal was below the 1995 level but above average. The largest drop in production was anticipated for low-lying and Walo crops. In contrast, the irrigated crops had increased significantly. In November, a new multi-disciplinary mission visited all wilayas of the country and estimated that planted areas for off-season crops were lower than previously indicated and reviewed significantly downwards the production estimates on the basis of its qualitative observations. The aggregate output of cereals is now estimated at a below average level of 130 450 tons of which 74 150 tons of rice and 56 300 tons of coarse grains. The second phase of the national production survey is scheduled in January/February and will provide the final results of 1996 harvest.

Small populations of Desert Locust adults and a few swarms are present in northern and north-western Mauritania. Nomads reported seeing immature swarms flying north towards Morocco in late December and early January. Due to low temperatures, they are expected to persist in these areas and slowly mature. The threat of swarms moving south along the coast and entering Senegal in the Senegal River Valley, where a few swarms were seen, is assessed to be very low.

The overall food supply situation is anticipated to be tight for certain populations affected by a poor crop in rainfed production areas, notably in Brakna and Gorgol regions. In early January, FAO and WFP organized a multidonor assessment mission to evaluate the needs of the affected populations in Assaba, Brakna, Gorgol, Hodh El Gharbi, Tagant and Trarza. Undertaking rapid assessments of the nutritional situation, including anthropometric measures on children under 5 years, the mission observed high malnutritrion rates in several villages. It recommanded to provide a food assistance for 200 000 persons during 6 months amounting to 17 000 tons (14 500 tons of cereals, 1 500 tons of beans and 750 tons of vegetable oil). The government started food distributions in Tagant. Food assistance is also being distributed to Tuareg refugees in one camp in the east of the country. Their number is currently estimated at 28 000. Since June 1996, about 17 000 refugees returned to Mali. In 1997, about 14 000 refugees are also anticipated to ask to return to Mali. For the 1996/97 marketing year (November/October), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 310 000 tons and the food aid requirement at 75 000 tons.