Farmers Review Africa May/June 2017 Farmers Review Africa | Page 17

Insights
Food Security across
Africa
According to the latest quarterly Crop Prospects
14% decline in cereal production is forecast for
Food supply in the Sahel region is 'satisfactory in
and Food Shortages report released by the Food Sudan, with an almost 8% drop in cereal most countries'. is follows two consecutive
and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) this production forecast for Tanzania. bumper cereal harvests for Burkina Faso, Chad
month, people across 29 countries on the
and Senegal, and above-average harvests in most
continent cannot access food, or are facing food In Somalia, some 3,2 million people – mainly countries along the Gulf of Guinea.
shortages. Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and In Central Africa, the Democratic Republic of
drought-affected agro-pastoral communities – Congo was estimated to have some 3,7 million
e FAO report says food prices have soared in need assistance. IDPs as of March 2017 – 1,5 million more than was
recent months. Press agency Reuters reports that According to the FAO report, there are estimated last year.
development banks are now stepping in, as some uncertain crop production prospects for West Southern Africa's grain and cereal production has
26,5 million people in the Horn of Africa are Africa. is is in part due to low rainfall, but rebounded, with especially maize production
facing food insecurity. mostly due to con ict. improving, and North Africa is also expected to
In Nigeria, where cereal output is estimated to reap good harvests.
e FAO report states that in the Central African be 13% higher than last year's bumper crop, “FAO forecasts a 10 percent increase in Africa's
Republic, an estimated 30% of the total some 7,1 million people face acute food cereal production, to 179-million tonnes, mainly
population is in need of urgent assistance due to shortages.
as a result of strong production rebounds expected
in North and Southern Africa.
con ict, displacements and food constraints.
Civil insecurity, unrest and con ict are also e FAO report states: “Despite the above- But “record cereal outputs are forecast in South
hampering access to food in Burundi, Chad, the average cereal harvest gathered in 2016, the Africa and Zambia, mostly associated with
Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, weak Naira, coupled with persisting civil signi cant yearly gains in maize production, while
and Nigeria, among others. con ict in northern states has continued to in North Africa, Morocco's output is forecast to
In East Africa, erratic rainfall and pest disrupt market activities and keep food prices at more than double in comparison to the poor
infestations are affecting main season crops. A high levels.” harvest in 2016,” the report states.
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FARMERS
REVIEW AFRICA
May - June 2017