Initial crop production figures allay fears

Crop production figures could be "slightly better" than last year, but prolonged dry spells in parts of Malawi's southern and central regions have caused come concern, according to a Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) official. In the first round of crop estimates released recently by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Food Security, the total maize production was estimated at 1.72 million mt, "a drop of just about 1 percent from last year's total maize production of 1.73 million mt". "It is difficult to say whether the country will face a food deficit or not, on the basis of the preliminary report - we will have a clearer picture when the second round of estimates is released next month," FEWS NET's Malawi representative, Sam Chimwaza, told IRIN. The final figures are due in June. The peak hunger season from January to mid-March had been expected to be "particularly bad ... given the poor 2004 production in many parts of southern Malawi. However, the food security situation appears to have been kept under control, due mainly to the ongoing food interventions and continued active private trader participation in the maize trade," said FEWS NET in a new report. The estimated drop in production was partly due to a decline in the planted area because of inadequate availability of seed, especially hybrid maize seed. "Most of the Central region reported maize yield drops ranging from 2 to 15 percent, mainly attributed to fertilizer scarcity and high prices. In addition, heavy rains in some areas have also resulted in nutrient leaching." With financial assistance from the European Union, Malawi has bought 60,000 mt of maize from both within and outside the country to replenish the Strategic Grain Reserve. According to the FEWS NET Informal Cross Border Trade Monitoring System, the government had imported about 35,000 mt of maize from Zambia by the end of January. Since maize is readily available in the local markets, government's stocks are unlikely to be needed this season and would probably carry over into the next marketing season, commented the early warning unit. As part of its emergency operations in Malawi, the World Food Programme ran a food-for-work programme and fed about 600,000 vulnerable people last year. The initiative has been continuing since last month under a three-year Protracted Recovery and Relief Operation. The food aid distribution has helped to reduce market demand for food, resulting in relatively stable low maize prices in local markets. Informal cross-border trade, especially with Mozambique, had also helped to keep prices low, said FEWS NET.