ReliefWeb

FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT

• Harvesting of 2015A season crops completed

• Prices of cereals and beans continue to decline

• Minimal levels of food insecurity in most areas of the country

Erratic rains affect the start of the 2015B season

Planting of the 2015B main season crops has been just completed in March and most crops are at emerging/vegetative stage. The long rainy season (February to May) started on time, but rainfall amounts have been below average during the first half of March, requiring some replanting of cereal and bean crops. Although rains resumed during the last dekad of March with above average amounts in northern and central districts, significant soil moisture deficits still persist in the Eastern province. Close monitoring of rainfall amounts and distribution during the remainder of the season is warranted as they will determine the overall performance of the 2015B season crop production, to be harvested by early June.

Harvesting of 2015A season crops (which represent about 30-40 percent of total crop production) was completed by the end of February and aggregate production is estimated at near-average level as the short season rains (September-December) have been generally favourable across the country. Below-average 2015A season production was, however, harvested in Gisara, Huye, Nyanza, Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru districts of Southern Province as well as in Bugusera district of Eastern Province due to unfavourable weather conditions.