Food security improves

Unusually heavy rains across the Sahel in 1999 has increased food security for farmers, with many recording good to excellent harvests in most areas despite the damage caused by the rains, the US Famine Early Warning System (FEWS) says in its bulletin for 29 February. Mali: FEWS describes food security in Mali as excellent after two consecutive bumper harvests. Cereal and other food products are available in markets and prices have remained lower than average. Estimated rice production is up for the fourth consecutive year to just over 800,000 mt. “Most of the growth occurred in the modern rice production sector,” FEWS says. Rice output in this sector, which throughout the 1990s rose from 60-70 percent, has been possible because of market liberalisation, improvements in irrigation and infrastructure, the devaluation of the franc CFA and better use of fertiliser and water resources as well as improved planting methods. Livestock productivity has remained high because dry season pastures and watering points are well watered. Chad: Harvest of recessional sorghum, know here as berbéré, is expected to be excellent and is in progress. FEWS says because of a below-average main season, the 1999/2000 cereal production will only reach average levels for the Sahelian zone. However, FEWS adds, parts of the this zone - such as western Kanem, Lac and northern Batha - are experiencing localised production shortfalls. Other off-season crops such as beets and tomatoes are good and are being harvested. Wheat crop conditions are good near Doum-Doum. Burkina Faso: Cereals, vegetables, meat, dairy products and fish are readily available at affordable prices in urban and rural markets, FEWS says, adding that prices of the main cereal staple in each region fell at most markets through December and were well below the 1995-98 average at all reporting markets covered by the Market Information System (SIM). Agricultural officers in the border areas with Mali report that traders are importing Malian millet because of the lower prices in that country. The high water table and high river and dam levels has spurred market gardening and fishing. Off-season rice prospects in the provinces of Ganzourgou and Boulgou are excellent this year, FEWS says. Water and fodder are readily available for livestock.