|
Area: |
784 000 sq.km |
|
Climate: |
Tropical wet-dry; coast is semi-arid |
|
Population: |
16 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 80 (1993) |
|
Specific characteristics of the country: |
Low-income food-deficit country; exposed to tropical storms and cyclones |
|
Logistics: |
Dilapidated rail and road transport fleet; lack of fuel and spares; poor roads; substantial |
|
deliveries by coastal vessels; disruption by guerrillas | |
|
Major foodcrops: |
Roots, tubers, maize |
|
Marketing year: |
May/April; Lean season: February-April |
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: |
53 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Planting of the 1996/97 cereal crops is now complete. Rainfall was inadequate in October and November, particularly in northern provinces where dry conditions persisted. Widespread rains recorded since late November in most growing areas allowed large planting and crops are developing in good conditions. Red locust swarms reported in central and northern provinces appear to have been brought under control by the government with international assistance, including from Zimbabwe and FAO.
The food supply situation has improved considerably following above-average cereal production earlier in the year and adequate food aid. However, there are still several areas where vulnerable groups cannot be reached easily because of logistic constraints. The estimate of cereal import requirement remains at 300 000 tons. Food aid pledges amounting to 160 000 tons covers current needs but only about 70 000 tons have been delivered so far.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
50 |
458 |
508 |
|
Normal Imports |
102 |
60 |
244 |
406 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
102 |
52 |
140 |
294 |
|
1996/97 Domestic Availability |
- |
93 |
1 235 |
1 328 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
139 |
1 235 |
1 374 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
93 |
1 235 |
1 328 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1996/97 Utilization |
140 |
176 |
1 312 |
1 628 |
|
Food Use |
133 |
161 |
1 123 |
1 417 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
14 |
14 |
|
Non-food use |
7 |
7 |
159 |
173 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
30 |
30 |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
8 |
- |
8 |
|
1996/97 Import Requirement |
140 |
83 |
77 |
300 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
70 |
60 |
10 |
140 |
|
Food aid needs |
70 |
23 |
67 |
160 |
|
of which emergency |
25 |
25 |
||
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
36 |
48 |
75 |
159 |
|
of which: Delivered |
36 |
11 |
23 |
70 |
|
Donor-financed local purchases |
- |
- |
14 |
14 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
8 |
10 |
70 |
89 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
270 |
|||
|
1996/97 import requirement as % of normal: |
74 |
|||
|
1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
54 | |||