|
Area: |
886 000 sq.km |
|
Climate: |
Tropical wet-dry climate with two rainy seasons in north (March-May and November- |
|
December) and one in south (November-April) | |
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Population: |
29.68 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 110 (1992) |
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Specific characteristics of the country: |
Low-income food-deficit country; cereal surplus production in the south and south-west; |
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cereal deficit in the north-west. Distribution difficulties | |
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Logistics: |
Serious shortage of rolling stock, fuel and spare parts |
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Major foodcrops: |
Maize, roots, tubers, sorghum, pulses, plantains, rice |
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Marketing year: |
June/May; Lean season: February-April |
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake: |
60 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Preliminary estimates indicate that some 400 000 people will face severe food difficulties until the next harvest in May. Prices have increased substantially in several regions.
Harvesting of the 1997 short rains "Vuli" season in under way in the bi-modal rainfall areas of the northern coastal belt and north-eastern, where this crop account for some 30 percent of the annual food supplies. Prospects are unfavourable reflecting well below average cumulative precipitation during the growing season. The situation is anticipated particularly serious in highland northern-eastern areas with food shortages reported in parts of Kilimangaro, Arurka and Targa. Poor "short rains" crops are also anticipated in Zanzibar and Pemba islands. Emergency food aid distributions are planned from Government’s security reserves stocks and local purchases from WFP.
In unimodal rainfall areas of the south, planting of the 1997 main "masika" season, to be harvested from March, has been completed. Prospects are uncertain. Insufficient rains in November and December, particularly in western regions, are likely to have resulted in planting reductions and affected crop establishment. More rains are needed soon.
The food supply situation is overall satisfactory. As a result of a good 1996 production, the country remained self-sufficient in the main foodcrops, except wheat for which limited imports are required for consumption in urban areas. However, it is estimated that some 280 000 persons different regions gathered a poor harvest and are in need of food assistance until the next main harvest from June.
Total registered refugees currently remaining in Tanzania are 248 000 (mostly Burundian) but exact numbers are uncertain. By late December, the influx of Zairean and Burundian refugees into Kigoma region continues at the rate of 1 000 per day.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
85 |
607 |
3 230 |
3 922 |
|
Normal Imports |
60 |
25 |
- |
85 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
15 |
15 |
- |
30 |
|
1996/97 Domestic Availability |
83 |
411 |
3 371 |
3 865 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
66 |
606 |
3 261 |
3 933 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
66 |
404 |
3 261 |
3 731 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
17 |
7 |
110 |
134 |
|
1996/97 Utilization |
123 |
446 |
3 431 |
4 000 |
|
Food Use |
119 |
426 |
2 855 |
3 400 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
4 |
4 |
|
Non-food use |
4 |
20 |
576 |
600 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1996/97 Import Requirement |
40 |
35 |
60 |
135 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
40 |
35 |
60 |
135 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
14 |
- |
1 |
15 |
|
of which: Delivered |
5 |
- |
- |
5 |
|
Donor-financed local purchases |
- |
- |
4 |
4 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
4 |
14 |
96 |
114 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
100 |
|||
|
1996/97 import requirement as % of normal: |
159 |
|||
|
1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
- |