FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 11/98 - LESOTHO (25 November)
Normal rains in early October that encouraged land preparation and early sowing of the 1998/99 coarse grain crop were followed by below-normal precipitation towards the end of the month. The 1998 production of coarse grains has been officially revised upwards to about 141 000 tonnes, only some 9 percent lower than the previous year and 16 percent below average. The output of wheat now stands at 27 000 tonnes, which is also much above the initial estimates and above average.
Reflecting the revised estimates of the 1998 crop, cereal imports in the year ending March 1999 are estimated at some 188 000 tonnes, which is close to the previous year�s requirements. Food aid pledges at the end of October amounted to 6 000 tonnes, all delivered.
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