Attachments
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
- Cereal production in 2024 forecast at slightly above‑average level
- Prices of coarse grains above year‑earlier levels
- Critical levels of acute food insecurity due to conflict
Cereal production in 2024 forecast at slightly above‑average level
Harvesting of the 2024 cereal crops, including maize, sorghum, millet and rice, is underway and is expected to conclude by January 2025. The rainy season, which normally starts in April/May in southern and central areas, and in June in northern regions, was delayed by three to four weeks in most cropping areas, affecting planting operations and the germination of early‑planted crops, and requiring replanting in several regions. Average to above‑average precipitation amounts between July and October offset the rainfall deficits and supported crop establishment and development in most areas, while the continuation of seasonal rains into late October allowed crops to complete their growing cycle. However, prolonged dry spells in August affected crops in localized areas, particularly in Sud‑Ouest Region, where low yields are expected. Furthermore, heavy rains between July and September triggered flooding in several regions, which caused localized minor crop losses.
Enhanced and effective government support, including the timely provision of improved seeds, fertilizers and free‑of‑charge ploughing services, boosted yields across the country and enabled farmers, particularly in western and southern regions, to expand the area planted. Furthermore, support in the form of lowland development in a very short time allowed farmers to engage in rice production. While in some conflict‑affected areas, farmers’ access to land improved compared to last year, the persisting civil insecurity continued to undermine farmers’ productive capacity, especially in Sahel, Est, Nord and Centre‑Nord regions, resulting in localized production shortfalls.
The 2024 aggregate cereal production is forecast at about 5.2 million tonnes, about 3 percent above the five‑year average.
Prices of coarse grains above year‑earlier levels
Across the country, wholesale prices of locally produced sorghum and millet rose by 25‑55 percent between January and August 2024. In September and October 2024, prices of both sorghum and millet stabilized or registered seasonal declines in most markets, and they were up to 45 and 55 percent, respectively, above their year‑earlier levels.
The high prices of coarse grains are mostly underpinned by low supply due to reduced imports and the late start of harvesting operations in several areas. Furthermore, conflict‑related market disruptions and strong local and export demand exerted upward pressure on prices of coarse grains.
Critical levels of acute food insecurity due to conflict
According to the March 2024 Cadre Harmonisé (CH) analysis, over 2.7 million people (12 percent of the total population) were estimated to face acute food insecurity (CH Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) during the June to August 2024 lean season period, including about 423 000 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency). In the provinces of Oudalan and Soum (Sahel Region), Loroum (Nord Region) and Komondjari (Est Region), 50 to 60 percent of the local population was estimated to suffer from acute food insecurity.
Conflict remains the key driver of acute food insecurity, affecting mainly northern and eastern regions, where several localities are besieged by non-state armed groups, mostly in Sahel, Nord, Centre‑Nord and Est regions. In these areas, most households have very limited access to income‑generating activities and the supply of food in local markets as well as the delivery of humanitarian assistance are severely constrained. High prices of main staples have further limited households’ access to food. Particular concern is for households in the town of Djibo, which has been under blockade since February 2022.
Humanitarian needs are also high for the nearly 2.06 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country, according to the latest available estimates from March 2023. About 50 percent of these IDPs are located in Sahel and Centre‑Nord regions.
Concerns also exist for the food security situation of about 16 500 people that were affected by recent floods, whose livelihoods have been significantly disrupted.