Security conditions are reported to have improved in many parts of the country during February, including the northern Bubanza and Cibitoke areas, although civil unrest continue.

Planting of the 1997 B second season foodcrops, to be harvested in June-July, is underway. Early prospects are better than in the previous season reflecting improvements in security and in agricultural input availability following an exemption to the embargo by neighbouring countries granted by the Regional Sanctions Co-ordination Committee (RSCC). FAO is currently distributing 200 tons of bean seed, hoes and vegetable seed to the most vulnerable population. Out of 4 000 tons of fertilizers to cover the needs for 1997 some 2 200 tons have entered the country and are currently being distributed. However, the remaining 1 800 tons, which are urgently needed for planting, are being retained at the borders due to the refusal of neighbouring Governments to facilitate the import process. Providing weather conditions remain satisfactory during the growing season and assuming that security will not deteriorate, the output is forecast to recover from the reduced levels of the past three seasons.

An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission which visited the country in January/February found that the 1997 first season crop (harvested in January) was affected by poor security, large movements of the population, an economic embargo and adverse weather in some parts. Plantings were limited by the movements of people, as well as by a reduced availability of seeds, mainly beans, potatoes and vegetables. Yields of cereals and pulses were affected by lack of quality seeds, an almost total absence of fertilizers, a false start to the rainy season and a prolonged dry spell that affected the main producing areas between September and November 1996.

The aggregate food production of the 1997 first season crop was estimated at 1.2 million tons, 7 percent lower than in 1996 and 18 percent below the pre-crisis average for 1988- 1993. Pulses and to a lesser extent cereals were the crops most affected. Compared to 1996 pulses declined 22 percent to 104 000 tons and cereals 10 percent to 148 000 tons. The outputs of root and tubers and banana and plantains declined by 5 percent and 4 percent respectively.

The food supply situation remains very tight for most products, particularly beans. As a result of a succession of reduced harvests and the economic embargo since late July 1996, the average price of food has increased by more than 40- 50 percent compared to the beginning of 1996. The price of beans has more than doubled. The situation is particularly serious for some 500 000 displaced and dispersed people and for some 200 000 regrouped population. Malnutrition among children in resettlement camps set up by the Government to re- locate the population in areas of conflict, as well as among the displaced population has been reported. The Government has requested international humanitarian assistance for the regrouped population.