More than 11 million face severe food shortages

More than 11 million Ethiopians are facing severe food shortages following a prolonged dry spell leading to poor harvests in many parts of the country, according to a joint report released on Monday by the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the World Food programme (WFP). A WFP press release quoted the report as saying that the 2002 cereal and pulse production of 9.2 million tonnes to be 25 per cent below the 2001 harvest. "Late, poorly distributed and early cessation of the 2002 seasonal rains were the main cause of the decline of grain production," it said. Depressed grain prices in 2001 also contributed to this year's poor harvest. Moreover, crop yields fell because farmers were reluctant to invest in improved seeds and fertiliser due to the uncertain crop prospects, it said. As a result, Ethiopia will need to import 2.3 million tonnes of cereal for 2002. With 328,000 tonnes of commercial imports forecast, a deficit of 1.8 million tonnes remains. "This deficit will have to be covered by a combination of emergency food aid and bilateral donations," the report said." According to the press release, the FAO/WFP report was based on a four-week joint crop and food supply assessment mission which visited all regions of the country in November and December. [For the full FAO/WFP report go to: http://www.fao.org/giews/]