FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1999 THE GAMBIA 19

THE GAMBIA

Area:	10 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet-dry climate; rainy season: May-October
Population:	1.34 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 320 (1995)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; coastal sahelian country
Logistics:	Port capacity and roads adequate
Major foodcrops:	Rice, millet and sorghum
Marketing year:	November/October; Lean season: July-September
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	63 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

The rainy season is now well established countrywide. Rains started in early June in the east and the centre and in late June in the west where they were above normal. They remained widespread and well above normal during the first dekad of July. Plantings are underway in the west and crops are emerging satisfactorily in the east and the centre. Grasshopper attacks have been reported in the centre.

Aggregate 1998 cereal output is officially estimated at an above-average level of 121 000 tonnes. The overall food supply situation is satisfactory given present rice stocks and planned imports. Markets are generally well supplied. However, some areas where millet production was poor may be at-risk of shortages during the next lean season, notably in the Lower and Upper Nuimis districts in the North Bank Division, Kiang West and Central in the Lower River Division and parts of Fonis of the Western Division. A WFP Rapid Rural Appraisal mission visited 15 villages in the affected areas in late April/early May and estimated the number of affected people at 110 000, who need 2 671 tonnes of cereals, 400 tonnes of pulses and 167 tonnes of oil.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1998/99 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	-	21	82	103
Normal Imports	20	90	4	114
of which: Structural food aid	1	2	4	7
1998/99 Domestic Availability	2	17	95	114
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	26	95	121
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	17	95	112
Possible stock drawdown	2	-	-	2
1998/99 Utilization	28	112	98	238
Food Use	21	93	81	195
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	5	5
Non-food use	1	3	16	20
Exports or Re-exports	6	16	-	22
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
1998/99 Import Requirement	26	95	3	124
Anticipated commercial imports	25	90	-	115
Food aid needs	1	5	3	9
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	1	-	2	3
of which: Delivered	1	-	2	3
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	16	70	61	146
Indexes
1998 production as % of normal:				117
1998/99 import requirement as % of normal:				109
1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal:				129