Seasonably dry conditions prevail in the north. In the south, following the start of the rainy season in early March, land preparation is underway for the planting of the first maize crop. Following favourable conditions in 1996, a good cereal harvest has been gathered, notably in Borgou and Atacora. The FAO estimate puts 1996 cereal output at about 659 000 tons, which is higher than average.
The food supply situation is satisfactory following harvesting and marketing of the main foodcrops and maize imports from Nigeria. Gari is exported to Niger and yam to Burkina-Faso. Niebe, groundnuts and maize are exported to Togo. There are about 11 000 Togolese refugees remaining in Benin.
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. The final estimates of 1996 cereal production were officially released on 5 March. They indicate an aggregate production of cereals of 2 482 000 tons, which is slightly above the 2 461 000 tons estimated by a joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission last year. This is 7.5 percent above 1995 (2 308 000 tons) and 1 percent above average for the last five years. This increase in aggregate production is due to an increase in all crops except fonio (- 8 percent). Maize, rice and millet production increased respectively by 39, 33 and 10 percent compared to 1995/96. 18 provinces registered an increase in production, notably in Boulgou (+ 83 percent), Yatenga (+ 68 percent), Passor� (+ 51 percent), Sourou (+ 48 percent) and Soum (+ 31 percent). By contrast, production decreased in Kouritenga (- 60 percent), Oudalan, Poni, Samnatenga and S�no (around - 30 percent).
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Cereal prices declined in October/November following the arrival of recently harvested crops or imported cereals from Mali in the north. They continued to decline in December/January but remained higher than average in several provinces due to substantial exports to the capital or to neighbouring countries. As a result, some departments may face some food supply difficulties. The government will provide 2 700 tons of cereals for the "banques de c�r�ales" in the areas at risk. Deficits in northern provinces can be covered by transfer of cereals from the south, for which external assistance may be required. Cereal needs for ongoing food aid programmes can also be covered by local purchases. Tuareg refugees from Mali are currently receiving food assistance. Their total number has decreased to 25 000 following repatriation.
Crop conditions were particularly unfavourable in 1996 as a result of irregular rains. A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission which visited Cape Verde last year estimated the 1996 maize crop at only 1 000 tons, compared to about 8 000 tons in 1995. The poor rains did not allow adequate replenishment of ground water and this may also affect irrigated crop production during the dry season. In addition, fodder is scarce and the nutritional status of the herd is deteriorating.
As the country imports the bulk of its consumption requirement, the overall food supply situation will remain satisfactory despite this very reduced crop. However, rural populations, notably in the semi-arid zones, will be severely affected and may need assistance. The government has launched an appeal for external assistance including projects for drinking water supply, livestock support and assistance for vulnerable groups. The cereal import requirement in 1997 is estimated at 90 000 tons and the food aid requirement at 65 000 tons.
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Last year, an FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission estimated 1996 cereal production at 840 000 tons, which is slightly below 1995 and below average. Production decreased notably in the Sahelian zone. Prospects for off-season crops (mainly berbere - recessional sorghum - in the south-east and in the south-west, along the Logone, Chari and Mayo Kebbi rivers) are also poor due to lower planted areas and limited yields. As the water level has increased in Lake Chad in recent years, some planted areas with maize and wheat in polders have also been lost by farmers.
Following this reduced crop, the food supply situation is going to be tight in 1997, notably in the Sahelian zone where cereal prices are much higher than in previous years. In addition, the national security stock is almost exhausted, which is particularly worrisome. Its recommended level is 22 000 tons, as estimated by an FAO mission in 1995. In early November, the National Early Warning System (SAP) estimated the need for the vulnerable populations in the Sahelian zone at 17 500 tons of cereals to be distributed during 6 months from March. It has recently revised this figure to 19 500 tons. The most affected populations are in Biltine prefecture which experienced drought for a second year and pest attacks. The Government has sent sorghum to be sold at subsidized price in that Prefecture. Food supply difficulties are also anticipated in Batha prefecture following reduced crops and damage by grasshoppers and grain-eating birds. In early December, the government launched an appeal for external assistance amounting to 50 000 tons of cereals. Half of this amount is necessary to cover the needs for distributions or sales at subsidized prices in 1997 and the rest to reconstitute the national security stock before next marketing year. A donors meeting held by the FAO representative met in February to review the current food supply situation. Several donors confirmed or announced food aid contributions, either with imported cereals or from local purchases, notably in Salamat region. However, current pledges amount to about 22 000 tons and therefore do not cover the deficit. Additional contributions are required.
Seasonably dry conditions prevail in the north. Rains started in the south in early March, allowing land preparation for the first maize crop. The first estimates of the National Statistical Services for the 1996 cereal output point to an aggregate production of about 1.8 million tons.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory and markets are well supplied. In September 1996, the government increased the import duty for ordinary rice from 2 to 15 percent, prior to the liberalization of this market in January 1997. About 300 000 Liberian refugees are present in western departments. Their nutritional status is reported to be adequate. WFP, NGOs and donors estimate the caseload of Liberian refugees to be assisted from January 1997 at 175 000 people. The cereal import requirement for 1996/97 (July/June), is estimated at 500 000 tons mostly wheat and rice.
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. An FAO Crop Assessment Mission late last year estimated 1996 aggregate cereal production at 104 000 tons. This is slightly above 1995 and the average for the last five years. Coarse grains increased slightly whilst rice increased significantly.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory except in Upper River Division following floods in August which affected crops. Rice stocks and planned imports are sufficient to cover consumption requirements in the months ahead. The rice market is well supplied but prices are higher than last year. Following floods in Upper River Division, a multi-disciplinary team estimated the needs of 150 000 affected persons at 2 235 tons of milled rice and recommended the purchase of early millet, maize and rice seeds to be distributed before the 1997 crop season. Cereal imports for domestic use and re-exports in 1996/97 are estimated at 110 000 tons and the food aid requirement at 13 000 tons. So far, 6 000 tons have been pledged and 2 000 tons delivered.
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. The final estimates of 1996 cereal production have been recently published. They indicate an aggregate output of cereals of 976 100 tons which is lower than the first estimates by joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission in October 1996 mainly due to lower production for millet and maize. 1996 production is 8 percent lower than in 1995 and below average. Production of sorghum increased, while that of maize, millet and rice decreased. Compared with the previous season's results, cropped areas, estimated at a total of 1 286 000 hectares have increased by 6 percent. Recession crops are developing satisfactorily but areas planted have decreased compared to 1995/96. Rice has been harvested in the Senegal river valley and yields are adequate.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Markets are well supplied. Prices of cereals have declined following the harvest and in January, they were generally lower than in January 1996 or 1995. The country imports large quantities of rice to cover its consumption requirement. External assistance may be required for the mobilization of cereals in the south and their transfer to northern deficit areas. For the 1996/97 marketing year (November/October), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 635 000 tons, mostly rice and the food aid requirement at 20 000 tons. So far 3 400 tons have been pledged.
Following five years of civil strife, the current peace process is progressively leading to a return of normal activities. Programs of food assistance for resettlement have started and more than 500 000 displaced people have returned to their homes notably in southern province. However, the situation remains unstable in Kailahun and the east of Moyamba district areas, where occasional fighting still occurs. Ambushes and looting were reported in February on the Freetown-Bo Highway.
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission visited Sierra Leone in late 1996 to estimate 1996 production and the national food requirements for 1997. The Mission found that agricultural production like all other productive sectors of the economy, had been badly affected by the war which started in Southern and Eastern parts of the country in 1991 and spread to the rest of the country by 1994/95. The war caused large-scale displacement of farmers, thereby cutting off large portions of land from production. Apart from being displaced, many farmers, particularly those in areas which were under frequent attacks, also lost seeds, tools, on-farm storage facilities and other productive assets to the extent that even those returning from displacement camps have not been able to resume production without help from relief agencies and NGOs. It is estimated that about 180 000 farm families were directly affected by the conflict. As a result, agricultural production has drastically dropped throughout the country in the last five years.
The Mission estimated the total area planted to rice in 1996 at about 289 200 hectares, 5 percent more than in 1995. Paddy production was estimated at 391 000 tons, 10 percent above 1995. Production of root crops is also projected to increase to an estimated 328 000 tons, some 7 percent above 1995 level.
At this level of production, the cereal import requirement for 1997 is estimated at 259 000 tons and food aid requirement at 79 300 tons. Cereal food aid requirements to support resettlement/rehabilitation activities implemented by WFP and CRS have been estimated at 60 500 tons for 1997. By February about 318 500 Sierra Leonean refugees remained in neighbouring countries, of whom, 200 000 are in Guinea, and 118 500 in Liberia. Repatriation is scheduled to start in June with 60 000 refugees from Monrovia, Mali, Gambia and Guinea. A second phase in November will facilitate the return of 80 000 people from Bomi and Cape Mount counties in Liberia and Guedekou in Guinea. The third phase will help the repatriation of 120 000 refugees from Lofa county in Liberia and Guinea.
Rains started in early March over the south and the centre, allowing land preparation and planting of the first maize crop. Following abundant but irregular rainfall, the cereal output for 1996 is estimated at 490 000 tons, which is slightly below average and similar to last year. Roots and tuber production is estimated at about 980 000 tons and pulses at 56 000 tons, which is about 10 percent higher than last year.
About 10 000 refugees from Ghana remain in Togo but the overall number declined significantly in 1996 following repatriation which was encouraged by a shift in humanitarian aid policy from relief to rehabilitation (provision of seeds and money) and a reduction of food aid distributions.