FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 11/99 - NIGERIA (10 November)
Rains started later than normal over northern Nigeria, reaching these areas only in late May. However, despite the late planting, crop production is expected to be normal to above normal following widespread and abundant rainfall up to the end of October. Due to heavy rain, three hydroelectric dams released water in the Kaduna, Benue and Niger rivers in early October, causing flooding of villages located along the river banks and population displacements. The Nigerian Government estimates that about 300 000 people have been affected by the flooding, and that several thousand hectares have been flooded in 5 States (Sokoto, Adamwara, Borno, Kwara and mostly Niger State). Most displaced people have lost their homes and most of their crop fields, and have temporarily settled on higher ground. About 6 000 hectares of sugar cane plantation, expected to produce about 25 000 tonnes of sugar, have been flooded in central region. The south-eastern Bayelsa State and five districts in the Niger Delta (in the municipalities of Patani, Oshimili South, Ndokwa East, Burutu and Bomadi) have also been affected by floods. The overall food supply situation is satisfactory except in the flooded areas.
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