Area:
|
1 267 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
Northern part arid, southern part semi-arid with rains in June-October
|
Population:
|
9.80 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 200 (1997)
|
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
|
Following mostly dry weather in early to mid-June, substantial rains in late June and early July covered most of the agricultural zone. Plantings started in late May following first showers over most producing zones. However, the weather remained mostly dry during the first two dekads of June. Rains became widespread and above normal over the western and central producing areas but remained limited in the east during the third dekad of June. They started in the east in early July. Plantings and replantings are underway with satisfactory seed availability following 1998 record harvest.
Rodents are reported to be attacking recent sowings in Tahoua and Zinder departments. Grasshoppers have also been seen in Diffa and Tillabery departments but crop damage is negligible. Grain eating birds are also reported in Diffa department. Unconfirmed reports suggest that isolated Desert Locusts were present in eastern Aïr and Irhazer during the first dekad of June. Small scale breeding could occur once the seasonal rains commence in Aïr and Tamesna.
1998 aggregate cereal production has been estimated at a record 2.97 million tonnes, about 72 percent higher than 1997 and about 44 percent above the five-year average. The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Low cereal prices following record crops in late 1998 should facilitate local purchases for the reconstitution of the national security stock for which external assistance is required. However, the food supply situation is likely to be tight in some areas which are chronically food deficit, notably in the arrondissements of Bouza, Illela, Konni, Matameye, centre-Madaoua, centre-Mayahi, north-Mirriah, south-Ouallam, north-Tanout (Belbedji), north-Tillabery (Aiorou), south-Diffa and south-N'Guigmi.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 4 | 66 | 1 991 | 2 061 |
| Normal Imports | 15 | 60 | 220 | 295 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 5 | 5 | 10 | 20 |
| 1998/99 Domestic Availability | 12 | 36 | 2 903 | 2 952 |
| 1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 7 | 56 | 2 903 | 2 966 |
| 1998 Production (rice in milled terms) | 7 | 36 | 2 903 | 2 947 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 5 | - | - | 5 |
| 1998/99 Utilization | 27 | 121 | 3 023 | 3 172 |
| Food Use | 26 | 105 | 2 267 | 2 398 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 20 | 20 |
| Non-food use | 1 | 7 | 445 | 453 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | 60 | 60 |
| Possible stock build up | - | 10 | 250 | 260 |
| 1998/99 Import Requirement | 15 | 85 | 120 | 220 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 10 | 80 | 120 | 210 |
| Food aid needs | 5 | 5 | - | 10 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 6 | 11 | 13 | 30 |
| of which: Delivered | 2 | 11 | 13 | 26 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 9 | 9 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 9 | 9 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 3 | 11 | 231 | 245 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1998 production as % of normal: | 144 | |||
| 1998/99 import requirement as % of normal: | 75 | |||
| 1998/99 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 50 |
