|
Area: |
1 247 000 sq.km |
|
Climate: |
Coastal desert, south-west semi-arid, rest tropical wet-dry, with rains in Sept.-April |
|
Population: |
12.20 million (1996 estimate), G.N.P. per caput U.S.$ 970 (1990) |
|
Specific characteristics of the country: |
Low-income food-deficit country; infrastructure devastated by prolonged civil strife |
|
Logistics: |
Inadequate port, rail and road facilities |
|
Major foodcrops: |
Roots, tubers, maize, plantains |
|
Marketing year: |
April/March; Lean season: January-April |
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: |
35 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The rainy season started in September with early light rains in northern provinces and the central plateau but dry conditions persisted in some southern areas. Widespread precipitation since November favoured large plantings and the development of early planted coarse grain crops. Prospects are good so far as the continuing relative peace gives hope for increased planting of land that had previously been left idle because of poor security. Improvements are also expected in the provision of seeds and farming implements, as pledged assistance continue to reach the country. Some 530 000 families are benefiting from the 1996/97 seed and tool distribution campaign.
The food supply situation remains a cause for concern despite improvements in foodcrops production and in the distribution of relief food. Although available food supplies are adequate, the logistics of moving these to vulnerable groups remains a major problem requiring international assistance. Cereal import requirement for 1996/97 is estimated at 442 000 tons of which 240 000 tons of food aid. Pledges made so far amount to 216 000 tons, of which some 100 000 tons have been delivered.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
3 |
3 |
330 |
336 |
|
Normal Imports |
110 |
100 |
90 |
300 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
20 |
15 |
60 |
95 |
|
1996/97 Domestic Availability |
3 |
5 |
500 |
508 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
3 |
8 |
500 |
511 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
3 |
5 |
500 |
508 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1996/97 Utilization |
183 |
55 |
712 |
950 |
|
Food Use |
182 |
55 |
617 |
854 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
1 |
- |
87 |
88 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
8 |
8 |
|
1996/97 Import Requirement |
180 |
50 |
212 |
442 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
80 |
30 |
92 |
202 |
|
Food aid needs |
100 |
20 |
120 |
240 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
61 |
22 |
133 |
216 |
|
of which: Delivered |
1 |
18 |
84 |
103 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
15 |
4 |
51 |
70 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
152 |
|||
|
1996/97 import requirement as % of normal: |
147 |
|||
|
1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
253 |