Area:
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1 267 000 sq.km
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Climate:
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Northern part arid, southern part semi-arid with rains in June-October
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Population:
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10.06 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 190 (1998)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked Sahelian country
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Logistics:
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Roads inadequate during rainy season
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Major foodcrops:
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Millet and sorghum, pulses, roots and tubers
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Marketing year:
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November/October; Lean season: July-September
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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70 percent
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The growing season is now well underway. Following a somewhat delayed start of the rains, precipitation progressed northwards and eastwards in June, allowing land preparation and plantings of millet and sorghum. Rains reached the south-east of the country in early July. It is estimated that about two thirds of the villages had done their plantings as of late June against only one-third in 1999. Millet and sorghum are emerging or even tillering. Plantings are starting latter in the east, in Diffa and Zinder departments.
Infestations of grasshoppers, army worms and grain eating birds are reported in some areas, notably in Tahoua and Agadez departments. During the first week of June, scattered Desert Locusts were seen in central and northern Aïr. The residual populations previously and currently reported in the Aïr area could move west towards Tamesna and lay in areas of recent rainfall.
Following release of final production figures by national statistical services, the aggregate production of cereals in 1999 is estimated at 2.86 million tonnes (with rice in paddy), about 4 percent below previous year's record crop but 25 percent above average. The overall food supply situation remains satisfactory. Markets are well supplied and prices of cereals are lower than average. Assessments by the National Early Warning System indicate that no emergency assistance is needed by the country. However, some areas in Aguié, Guidan Roumdji, Illéla, Keita, Matameye and Mayahi as well as some urban populations may be somewhat vulnerable. The national security stock has been reconstituted at a level of 14 577 tonnes of millet and 2 132 tonnes of sorghum.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 6 | 64 | 2 230 | 2 300 |
| Previous five years average imports | 33 | 85 | 215 | 333 |
| 1999/2000 Domestic Availability | 18 | 60 | 2 792 | 2 870 |
| 1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 8 | 61 | 2 792 | 2 861 |
| 1999 Production (rice in milled terms) | 8 | 40 | 2 792 | 2 840 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 10 | 20 | - | 30 |
| 1999/2000 Utilization | 38 | 140 | 2 912 | 3 090 |
| Food Use | 27 | 132 | 2 258 | 2 417 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 25 | 25 |
| Non-food use | 1 | 7 | 434 | 442 |
| Exports or Re-exports | 10 | - | 60 | 70 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 160 | 160 |
| 1999/2000 Import Requirement | 20 | 80 | 120 | 220 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 20 | 75 | 120 | 215 |
| Food aid needs | - | 5 | - | 5 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 8 | 8 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 8 | 8 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 3 | 13 | 224 | 240 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1999 production as % of average: | 124 | |||
| 1999/2000 import requirement as % of average: | 66 |
