| Area: | 26 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Highland rainy climate with moderate temperature (200C); two rainy seasons (Feb.- May and Sept.-Nov.) |
| Population: | 5.98 million (1997 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 160 (1995) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country |
| Logistics: | Ports: Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); rail and road connections inadequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Pulses, plantains, roots, tubers, maize and sorghum |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: November-December |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 34 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
An FAO/WFP Mission visited the country from 18 June to 1 July 1997 and assessed the conditions of the 1997 season B food crops and made estimates of the outputs of cereals, pulses, roots and tubers as well as bananas and plantains. This was a follow-up of an assessment undertaken in March 1997 by a similar Mission which estimated the 1997 first season harvest. The latest Mission found that the second season crops, which in 1996 accounted for 36 percent of the aggregate food production, benefited from improved security, increased supply of fertilizers and better weather conditions compared to the same season last year. However, the amount of quality seeds distributed were not sufficient and no pesticides were available. The Mission estimates the 1997 B season food crop production at about 1.75 million tons some 4 percent over the same season last year. The cereal harvest is estimated at 138 000 tons while the output of pulses is estimated 185 854 tons, that of roots/tubers at 714 039 tons and bananas at 662 512 tons respectively. The total food production in 1997, including the A season crop harvested earlier in February, is estimated at 3.5 million tons. The cereal harvest increased by an estimated 10 percent and that of roots and tubers only marginally. By contrast, the output of pulses dropped by 4 percent and that of bananas and plantains slightly. As a consequence total production is about the same as in 1996, thus resulting in increased import requirements.
Food import requirements in 1997 are estimated at 20 000 tons of cereals and 56 000 tons of pulses. Commercial imports are currently forecast at 3 000 tons of cereals and 12 000 tons of pulses. Food aid needs are estimated at 17 000 tons of cereals and 44 000 tons of pulses. Available estimates put the country’s population at 5 980 000. Of these, some 40 percent are considered displaced persons living outside their homes mainly in camps. A large number of them have limited access to land to carry out agricultural production activities. This situation calls for the continuation of donors support until these affected people become self reliant.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
7 |
41 |
253 |
301 |
|
Normal Imports |
20 |
2 |
7 |
29 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997 Domestic Availability |
10 |
60 |
230 |
300 |
|
1997 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
10 |
88 |
230 |
328 |
|
1997 Production (rice in milled terms) |
10 |
60 |
230 |
300 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997 Utilization |
13 |
60 |
247 |
320 |
|
Food Use |
12 |
59 |
210 |
281 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
1 |
1 |
37 |
39 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1997 Import Requirement |
3 |
- |
17 |
20 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
3 |
- |
- |
3 |
|
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
17 |
17 |
|
of which: exceptional |
- |
- |
16 |
16 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
- |
- |
7 |
7 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Donor financed purchase for export |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
2 |
10 |
35 |
47 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1997 production as % of normal: |
109 |
|||
|
1997 import requirement as % of normal: |
69 |
|||
|
1997 food aid requirement as % of normal: |