| Area: | 1 267 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Northern part arid, southern part semi-arid with rains in June-October |
| Population: | 9.54 million (1998 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 220 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked sahelian country |
| Logistics: | Roads inadequate during rainy season |
| Major foodcrops: | Millet and sorghum, pulses, roots and tubers |
| Marketing year: | November/October; Lean season: July-September |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 70 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Seasonably hot and dry conditions prevail. Higher than normal temperatures have been reported in early February. Harvesting of recession crops is underway. Aggregate cereal production in 1997/98 is estimated at 2.25 million tonnes, marginally down from 1996 but 4 percent above the average for the past five years. Late reports stated that small scale Desert Locust breeding, which commenced in September, continued in late 1997 in parts of the Tamesna. Groups of adults as well as solitarious and hoppers were present between Agadez and Arlit. Similar infestations were also reported at several places to the north-west of Arlit. Low numbers of solitarious adults will persist in a few places of Tamesna.
Despite this above-average harvest, the food supply is anticipated to be tight in several deficit areas which gathered poor crops, some for the second or third successive year. Cereal prices are particularly high, notably in Tillabery, Agadez, Tahoua and Diffa departments. The National Early Warning System (SAP) estimated that most affected areas are the arrondissements of Diffa, Abalack, Agadez, Ouallam, Tchitabaradem, Arlit, Bilma, Maïné Soroa, N’Guigmi and Tchirozerine, the first five being particularly at risk. The Government has launched an appeal for international assistance to cover the needs of the affected populations in the vulnerable areas. It has requested especially that ongoing projects in affected areas organize activities in the coming weeks for off-season production in order to prevent population movements. However, higher than normal migrations of families or men in search of work are reported from the north of Tillabery department. Following the government appeal, several donors have offered assistance for off-season gardening projects or pledged food aid contributions.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
4 |
68 |
2 096 |
2 168 |
|
Normal Imports |
25 |
50 |
160 |
235 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
5 |
5 |
10 |
20 |
|
1997/98 Domestic Availability |
6 |
44 |
2 213 |
2 263 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
6 |
67 |
2 173 |
2 246 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
6 |
44 |
2 173 |
2 223 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
40 |
40 |
|
1997/98 Utilization |
21 |
109 |
2 398 |
2 528 |
|
Food Use |
20 |
101 |
2 052 |
2 173 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
20 |
20 |
|
Non-food use |
1 |
8 |
336 |
345 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
10 |
10 |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997/98 Import Requirement |
15 |
65 |
185 |
265 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
10 |
60 |
170 |
240 |
|
Food aid needs |
5 |
5 |
15 |
25 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
2 |
2 |
6 |
10 |
|
of which: Delivered |
2 |
2 |
- |
4 |
|
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
11 |
11 |
|
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
11 |
11 |
|
for export |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) |
2 |
11 |
215 |
228 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
104 |
|||
|
1997/98 import requirement as % of normal: |
113 |
|||
|
1997/98 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
125 |
