An evaluation of agro?meteorological data for the 2009 rainy season shows rainfall deficits in most crop?producing areas. The findings by the joint FAO/CILSS/FEWS NET/WFP preharvest assessment mission for the 2009/10 growing season put grain production down 31 percent from last year and 34 percent below the five?year average. The Sahelian zone and the central?western reaches of the southern zone are especially hard hit by this deficit.
On the whole, a look at the countrywide food security situation shows moderately good conditions. In the face of large ongoing harvests, staple grain prices have been trending steadily downwards since August of this year. However, price levels are still above the five?year average (2004/05?2008/09) due to a sustained rise in prices in 2008/09 and a worrisome food security outlook for the current growing season.
Pastoralists and agropastoralists are facing poor pastoral conditions for the second consecutive year and shortfalls in milk and meat production, particularly by large animals. Terms of trade for small animals/grain have improved since August/September in anticipation of the yearend holiday season. However, the current poor physical condition of large animals due to shortages of animal feed and the decline in demand from Nigeria with the poor exchange rate for the Nigerian naira vis?à?vis the CFA franc are driving down prices for large animals and eroding terms of trade for large animals/grain. The hunger season in pastoral areas is expected to begin earlier than usual, or by April of next year.