Attachments
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
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Favourable early prospects for 2016B agricultural season
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Above average production estimates for 2016A season
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Food prices declining in most markets as 2016A season crops increase supplies
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Significant number of refugees from Burundi in need of humanitarian assistance
Planting ongoing of 2016B season crops
Land preparation and planting of the 2016B season (February-July) crops is underway. Rains started at the beginning of February in most southern cropping areas, while the rest of the country is still generally dry.
Meteorological forecasts for the March-May period indicate an increased likelihood of normal to above-normal rainfall, which are expected to have a favourable impact on 2016B season production.
Above average output for 2016A season crops
Harvesting of the 2016A season crops was finalized in February. The season’s output is estimated at above-average levels due to abundant, well-distributed and prolonged “short-rains” between October and January which favoured yields and induced farmers to substantially increase area planted with maize, beans and cassava. However, production has been below average in some eastern cropping areas, especially in districts of Kayonza, Kirehe and Nyagatare, due to erratic rains at the beginning of the season.
Staple food prices declining in most markets as 2016A season crops increase supplies
Prices of main staples, cassava flour, beans and maize, which were firm throughout 2015, significantly declined in early 2016 in most markets as newly-harvested 2016A season crops increased supplies. In February 2016, beans were traded in Kigali at RWA 400 per kg, nearly 40 percent less than in December 2015. However, higher prices are recorded in the markets located in some eastern districts where a below-average output was gathered. For instance, in the Nyagatare retail market, beans were traded in February at RWA 450 per kg, well above the price of RWA 300-350 per kg registered one year before.
Satisfactory national supplies improve food security conditions
Food security conditions have improved since last December when the 2016A season crops started to be available for local consumption, ending the main lean season. Ongoing activities of land preparation and planting of 2016B season crops are providing labour opportunities for poor households, improving their purchase capacity and access to food.
However, food security of households in Eastern districts that harvested below-average outputs are likely to deteriorate as stocks will be depleted earlier than usual during the April-June minor lean season and food prices are expected to remain high.
According to UNHCR, as of end-February, about 74 000 refugees from Burundi are hosted in Mahama (Kirehe District in the East) and Kigali camps, and their food security is essentially guaranteed by continued humanitarian assistance.