Prospects for the 1997 second season foodcrops, about to be harvested, are favourable reflecting generally adequate rains during the growing season and an increase in plantings following the massive return of refugees late in 1996.
However, excessive rains in parts, particularly in the Butare prefecture, resulted in crop losses and the output is likely to be reduced. In general, the abundant rains during the season benefited cereal and root and tuber crops but negatively affected yield potential of the bean crop. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is schedule to visit the country in mid-June.
The difficult food situation for some 2.6 million vulnerable people, mainly returnees who did not cultivate any crop in the previous season, is expected to ease in the coming months with the new harvest. The security situation remains tense in western prefectures, particularly in Ruhengeri and Gisenyi where violent incidents continue to be reported. This is hampering distribution of food aid to vulnerable populations