FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
- Estimates point to a further expansion in cereal production in the 2009/10 season.
- Nevertheless, wheat and rice import requirements in 2010/11 marketing year (April/March) estimated to be similar to the previous season.
- Heavy rains in March/April resulted in flooding, displacing about 68 000 people.
Bumper cereal harvest for 2009/10 season
Although official national crop forecasts are not yet available, it is estimated that maize production increased slightly for the 2009/10 season, by approximately 4 percent, compared to the bumper harvest gathered in the previous season. Heavy rains in the southern and eastern provinces of Cunene, Kuando Kubango and Moxico led to localised crop losses; however, the large producing provinces of Kuanza Sul, Huambo and Bie received average cumulative rains for the season. The Government's continued support to the agriculture sector through the provision of inputs, including seeds and fertilizers, also contributed to the improved cereal harvest. Total cereal production for the 2009/10 season is preliminary estimated by FAO/GIEWS at 1.35 million tonnes, marking a fifth consecutive year increase.
Maize planting for the 2010/11 season is scheduled to begin in September, while harvesting of the winter wheat crop will commence in October.
