| Area: | 200 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | North-east is semi-arid, rest of the country is tropical wet-dry; main rainy period is March-October |
| Population: | 20.4 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 240 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country |
| Logistics: | Ports: Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); roads and railways inadequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots, tubers, plantains, pulses, maize, millet, sorghum |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: April-May |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 35 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
Abundant rains in the first dekad of October, following a prolonged delay in the start of the 1997/98 rainy season, improved soil moisture for planting operations and provided relief to early planted crops. However, the rains are likely to have been too late to avoid reductions in plantings and in yields of the early planted maize and bean crops. Cumulative precipitation by 10 October remains well below average throughout the country but, particularly, in eastern province.
The output of the 1997 second season crops, harvested form August, was reduced by insufficient rains. In pastoral areas, dry weather during the last rainy season has resulted in poor condition of pastures and animals. Production of the first season crops was also negatively affected by unfavourable weather conditions in several areas and persistent civil conflict in the northern districts of Gulu and Kitgum.
Reflecting last season’s reduced crop the food supply situation is tight, particularly in vulnerable eastern and north-eastern areas. Food prices, which normally decline after the harvest, increased during September and were above their level of a year ago. Increasing insecurity in the past months in the western districts of Bundibugyo and Kasese has resulted in substantial population displacement and is disrupting agricultural activities .
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
9 |
66 |
1 695 |
1 770 |
|
Normal Imports |
18 |
- |
10 |
28 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
15 |
- |
10 |
25 |
|
1997 Domestic Availability |
9 |
51 |
1 557 |
1 617 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
9 |
77 |
1 557 |
1 643 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
9 |
51 |
1 557 |
1 617 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997 Utilization |
35 |
57 |
1 567 |
1 659 |
|
Food Use |
29 |
57 |
1 062 |
1 148 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
(9) |
(9) |
|
Non-food use |
1 |
- |
334 |
335 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
166 |
166 |
|
Possible stock build up |
5 |
- |
5 |
10 |
|
1997 Import Requirement |
26 |
6 |
10 |
42 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
6 |
6 |
- |
12 |
|
Food aid needs |
20 |
- |
10 |
30 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
4 |
5 |
59 |
68 |
|
of which: Delivered |
4 |
5 |
59 |
68 |
|
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
18 |
18 |
|
of which: for local purchases |
- |
- |
9 |
9 |
|
for export |
9 |
9 |
||
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
1 |
3 |
52 |
56 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
93 |
|||
|
1997 import requirement as % of normal: |
150 |
|||
|
1997 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
120 |
