Food access good, but could deteriorate, FEWS says

While food availability and access are now good in Burkina Faso, below-average cereal production in some provinces could cause problems in the November 1999 - October 2000 period, according to USAID’s Famine and Early Warning System (FEWS). In its latest report, published on 29 December, FEWS cites preliminary production estimates released by Burkina’s Ministry of Agriculture as saying that seven out of 30 provinces with production shortfalls of 15 to 55 percent of the average for the past five years will depend on large commercial inflows. But good food availability at the national level and excellent harvests in neighbouring Niger and Mali will help to keep prices low for households needing to buy food in the market. Moreover, favourable conditions for off-season gardening will provide alternative sources of food and income, FEWS says.