FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2000 BOTSWANA 3

BOTSWANA

Area:

567 000 sq.km

Climate:

South-western part arid (Kalahari desert); rest semi-arid with some rains in Dec.-Feb.

Population:

1.585 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 3 600 (1998)

Specific characteristics of the country:

east; swamps in the northern parts; desert in the west

Logistics:

Imports through South Africa

Major foodcrops:

Sorghum, pulses, vegetables

Marketing year:

April/March; Lean season: January/March

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

55 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Cyclone Eline in late February aggravated the already serious humanitarian situation caused by flooding earlier in the month which destroyed some 10 000 homes and affected 73 000 people. The Government had estimated the flood damage at US$8.5 million and appealed for international assistance to deal with the emergency.

An assessment of crop losses in the eastern growing areas is not yet available. However, there is concern about the effect of the floods on livestock, which is of great importance to farmers' food security. Overall, abundant rains of the past February and March have likely benefited the main sorghum crop, to be harvested from mid-April.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1999/2000 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Normal Production 1 - 59 60

Normal Imports 60 8 116 184

of which: Structural food aid - - 20 20

1999/2000 Domestic Availability 2 - 20 22

1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) - - 20 20

1999 Production (rice in milled terms) - - 20 20

Possible stock drawdown 2 - - 2

1999/2000 Utilization 67 - 205 272

Food Use 67 - 201 268

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use - - 4 4

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - - -

1999/2000 Import Requirement 65 - 185 250

Anticipated commercial imports 65 - 185 250

Food aid needs - - - -

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges - - - -

of which: Delivered - - - -

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) 42 - 126 168

Indexes

1999 production as % of normal: 33

1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal: 136

1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: -

FAO/GIEWS - April 2000

Area:	567 000 sq.km
Climate:	South-western part arid (Kalahari desert); rest semi-arid with some rains in Dec.-Feb.
Population:	1.585 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 3 600 (1998)
Specific characteristics of the country:	east; swamps in the northern parts; desert in the west
Logistics:	Imports through South Africa
Major foodcrops:	Sorghum, pulses, vegetables
Marketing year:	April/March; Lean season: January/March
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	55 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal Production	1	-	59	60
Normal Imports	60	8	116	184
of which: Structural food aid	-	-	20	20
1999/2000 Domestic Availability	2	-	20	22
1999 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	-	20	20
1999 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	-	20	20
Possible stock drawdown	2	-	-	2
1999/2000 Utilization	67	-	205	272
Food Use	67	-	201	268
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	-	-	4	4
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
1999/2000 Import Requirement	65	-	185	250
Anticipated commercial imports	65	-	185	250
Food aid needs	-	-	-	-
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	-	-	-	-
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year)	42	-	126	168
Indexes
1999 production as % of normal:				33
1999/2000 import requirement as % of normal:				136
1999/2000 food aid requirement as % of normal:				-