This report covers the period from 4/20/2007 to 5/20/2007
The final grain balance sheet for the 2006/07 growing season shows a 970,925 MT surplus, which will meet household consumption needs in livelihood zones across the country. Agricultural activities for the 2007/08 growing season following the dry off-season began earlier than usual in certain crop-growing areas.
Market supplies are relatively good and, on the whole, prices are stable. However, the low levels of some household reserves in certain areas identified as vulnerable to food insecurity could expose this group of households to food access problems during the upcoming lean period beginning in July/August.
Shortages of hay, a virtual lack of pasture resources and animal watering problems – all of which are more or less normal at this time of year – are creating hardships right now for the animal population in major livestock‐ raising areas. The bird flu outbreak in neighboring Ghana will require closer surveillance for that disease in border areas with that country.
The meningitis epidemic in several health districts is waning, and living conditions in these areas are improving. The fact that the epidemic is on the decline is due, in part, to the end of the dry season, but is also partially attributable to good vaccination coverage against this disease.
Seasonal calendar and critical events
Current food security
Final crop production data for the 2006/07 growing season
According to final data for the 2006/07 growing season, all grain crops performed quite well. The grain balance sheet shows a 970,925 MT surplus, equivalent to 39 percent of total domestic consumption needs.
Overall, household food security is at acceptable levels in all livelihood zones around the country. Of the country’s 45 provinces, 23 have high coverage rates for local grain needs of 120 percent or more, 14 provinces are in a state of equilibrium, with coverage rates of from 90 to 120 percent, and 8 provinces show low coverage rates of under 90 percent. The highest coverage rates for local grain needs are in the regions of Boucle du Mouhoun (206 percent), Hauts Bassins (196), Southwestern (153), Cascades (151) and Northern (151) regions The Central (including the city of Ouagadougou), North‐ Central and Eastern regions have the lowest coverage rates, at 14, 82 and 90 percent, respectively. The extremely low coverage rate for the Central part of the country is normal as this is a densely populated, urban area, with little agricultural land available.
With an estimated production figure of 423,000 MT, off‐ season crops from the 2006/07 dry growing season helped improve food availability and generate household income from sales of vegetables, which were 70 percent of the harvest, with grain crops accounting for the other 30 percent.