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SPECIAL REPORT MISSIONS TO SUDAN 17 January 2001
1. OVERVIEW An
FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission visited southern Sudan
from 8 to 30 October 2001 and northern Sudan from 16 November to 6
December 2001 to assess current season cereal production, forecast
wheat production from areas prepared for planting, and estimate cereal
import requirements in the marketing year 2001/02 (November/October).
The Mission was able to visit 24 of the 26 states in the country,
both in Government and rebel held areas. This mission was particularly
in response to last year’s drought-induced severe food shortages in
Sudan which necessitated large humanitarian interventions. The
Mission received full co-operation from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture
and the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), which assigned senior staff
to accompany the Mission. Pre-harvest data on area and yield were
provided to the Mission by State Ministries of Agriculture and the
various irrigation schemes for all cereal crops in all states in northern
Sudan. The Mission cross-checked the data during field visits and
farmer and trader interviews. Discussions were also held with key
informants from local government administrations, UN agencies and
NGOs. In
southern Sudan, rebel-held areas were visited from Kenya and background
information was provided by the WFP Technical Support and Vulnerability
Analysis and Mapping (VAM) units, USAID Famine Early Warning System
Network (FEWSNET) and several NGOs, including Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation
Agency (SRRA), Relief Association of Southern Sudan (RASS), CONCERN,
CRS, Save the Children-UK, TEARFUND and MSF.
Due to lack of infrastructure and systematic
data collection, planted area
and yield In
the Northern sector, this
year's satisfactory production has been largely the result of area
expansion. Farmers increased their plantings due to favourable weather,
relatively high cereal prices at planting and in response to Government
inducement to cultivate more cereal crops, particularly in the irrigation
schemes. As a result, area harvested under cereals in 2001 increased
by nearly 30 percent compared to 2000. Cereal production on the irrigation
schemes, mechanised farms and traditional sector has increased by
32 percent, 36 percent and 41 percent respectively compared to last
year. In
the Southern sector, civil
conflict and insecurity have continued to hamper agricultural activities.
However, in 2001 rainfall has generally been good over much of the
south and production has improved over last year, especially in Western
Equatoria. Improved access to agricultural areas in many zones, with
the notable exception of Raga, parts of Unity State and parts of Sobat
Corridor in Upper Nile State, has increased planted area. Crop pest
and disease levels have been low and have contributed further to the
satisfactory season. Rangelands have benefited from the favourable
rains, and livestock condition is generally good at present. The continuing
adherence to the peace accord between the Dinka and the Nuer is expected
to benefit pastoralists over significant areas of the south. The
Mission forecasts 2001/02 total cereal production in Sudan at about
4.81 million tonnes, comprising 3.77 million tonnes of sorghum, about
579 000 tonnes of millet and 315 000 tonnes of wheat (to
be harvested in April/May 2002) and about 146 000 tonnes of other
cereals. At this level, cereal production is about 38 percent above
last year’s average crop and about 9 percent above the average of
the last five years. This
above-average crop, coupled with carryover stocks and forecast commercial
imports, consisting mainly of wheat, will result in an overall ample
cereal supply in 2002. This will allow increased cereal consumption
and building up of stocks. In response, prices of cereals in major
producing areas of central and eastern parts of the country have declined
sharply. In Gedaref, sorghum prices in November/December 2001 were
substantially below their level a year ago and were declining. The
decline in prices coupled with a sharp increase in gasoline prices
has discouraged many farmers from harvesting standing crops in parts.
With
limited prospects for exports in 2002, mainly due to improved harvests
in neighbouring countries, heavy supplies are expected to depress
prices further. The Government intends to implement a floor price
policy of market intervention, through the Strategic Commodity Reserve
Authority (SCRA), in order to stabilise prices. The World Food Programme
(WFP) has also made some local purchases for its programme food assistance
in the country. Substantial purchases are required from surplus producing
areas to support farmers as well as consumers in deficit areas. Livestock
in the north of the country are generally in good condition. However,
poor rangeland productivity in some areas, particularly in parts of
Kordofan and Darfur, is expected to result in severe feed shortages
in the coming months, necessitating stock movements. This is by no
means unusual, but the situation is exacerbated this year by the very
depressed prices of livestock resulting from the ban on livestock
imports from the Horn of Africa, including Sudan, by countries in
the Arabian Peninsula due to suspected Rift Valley Fever. Recent reports
indicate that the ban by Saudi Arabia, by far the most important importing
country, has been lifted, but it will take some time for the effect
of this to filter down to pastoralists. In the meantime, stocking
levels are expected to remain higher than can be adequately sustained
through available grazing, for lack of marketing outlets. While
the overall food situation is favourable, the global picture masks
serious deficits at regional and local levels. Despite increased production,
several zones in southern Sudan, including Kapoeta and Torit in East
Equatoria, Aweil West, Aweil East, Gogrial, Twic/Abyei and Tonj in
North Bahr el Ghazal, Raja in West Bahr el Ghazal, Jonglei and Unity
will be in cereal deficit mainly due to population displacement and
insecurity. The predicted cereal surpluses in West Equatoria, Lakes
and Upper Nile States will be unavailable in deficit areas due to
market segmentation and absence or break down of normal trade routes
and infrastructure. Even within surplus States the inability of both
urban and rural poor to access the available food means that food
assistance will be required in 2002. In northern Sudan, parts of North
Kordofan, West Kordofan, North Darfur, South Darfur and Red Sea State
have suffered crop failures due to erratic weather. For most, this
is the third consecutive year of poor harvest. As a result, prices
of cereals, particularly for the staple millet crop, have remained
unusually high, thus eroding the purchasing power of the population,
with large segments depending of food assistance. Therefore, targeted
emergency food assistance will be required in these areas. It is particularly
important to facilitate the timely purchase and transfer of grains
from surplus to deficit areas to support both producers and consumers.
For
various interventions in the drought affected States of Kordofan,
Darfur and the Red Sea, an estimated 78 000 tonnes of cereals
are required. In southern Sudan, where insecurity is a major cause
of food aid needs, the overall needs are estimated at 52 000
tonnes. In addition, food aid needs in the Nuba Mountains (both northern
and southern sectors) amount to about 25 000 tonnes. In total,
155 000 tonnes of food aid will be required in 2002 to assist
about 2 million IDPs, drought affected and vulnerable people. 2. RECENT ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENTS Agriculture remains the most important sector in the
Sudanese economy both in terms of its contribution to GDP (42 percent
in 2000) and to employment (more than two-third of the population).
However, the share of agriculture in the economy is declining as petroleum
exports increase. The country’s leading export commodity was petroleum products
in the year 2000, valued at more than US$1.3 billion (75 percent of
the total exports). This was followed by sesame and livestock products,
valued at US$ 147 million (8 percent) and US$ 66 million (4 percent)
respectively. Other important exports included cotton and gold, valued
at US$ 52 million and US$ 46 million respectively. In March 2001, the government introduced further agricultural
reforms, including the removal or reduction of most direct and indirect
taxes on agricultural production and marketing, and a reduction in
business profit taxes from 35 percent to 10 percent for all companies
engaged in agricultural production, processing and marketing. To compensate for the revenue loss to regional States,
a 12.5 percent tax increase on gasoline prices was introduced in October
2001. However, this price hike coincided with the harvesting period
and substantially increased the cost of production for farmers. This,
combined with the current low farm-gate prices of sorghum in major
surplus producing areas, has forced some farmers to reduce or abandon
altogether the harvesting of their crops. In September 2000, the government established the
Strategic Commodity Reserve Authority (SCRA) in response to food shortages
in parts of the country following prolonged drought conditions. The
functions of the Authority include market stabilisation, mainly for
staple cereals, through imports and local purchases and free and/or
subsidised distribution of food to vulnerable groups in emergency
situations. In 2000/01, the SCRA imported about 70 000 tonnes
of cereals to fill the food gap in the country. Currently, there is
also a plan to purchase large amounts of cereals from farmers who
were encouraged to plant more cereals this season. Unfortunately,
delayed allocation of finance to the SCRA has resulted in losing precious
time in supporting farmers and the market. At the time of the Mission,
sorghum prices were declining sharply in all major surplus areas,
including Blue Nile and Gedaref States. 3. CEREAL PRODUCTION
IN 2001 3.1 Main factors
affecting production in 2001 Rainfall Annual
rainfall in Sudan ranges from almost zero in the north of the country
to 1,800 mm in the southern state of Western Equatoria. This
year, rainfall in the northern sector generally started on time, leading
to expectations of higher agricultural production than last year.
Overall, and especially in the important Central Region, these expectations
have been realised. In
Gezira and Kassala, rainfall was noticeably better this year than
last. Both Gedaref and Blue Nile registered good rains in June and
July which were followed by a dry period; however, this dry spell
gave way to heavy rains in August, and satisfactory amounts were well
distributed in September and October. Sennar State compensated for
a late start to the season with well distributed rainfall during the
later months. In parts of the west of the country though, where traditional
rainfed farming accounts for nearly all cereal production, the promising
rainfall performance early in the season was not always sustained.
Some areas suffered from prolonged dry spells, whereas others experienced
an unusually early ending of the rains; a notable exception was West
Darfur in the extreme west, where rainfall amounts and distribution
were better than normal and good cereal production is expected. Red
Sea State experienced its third consecutive dry year, apart from the
coastal strip where rainfall appears promising for the winter season.
Because
of the high initial rainfall in many parts of the country, and good
rainfall upstream, the level of the Nile was higher than usual this
year. Although this led to localised destructive flooding during August,
it did allow an increased area of rice to be grown. Vegetable production
also benefited from the high river levels. In
the southern sector, annual rainfall amounts increase from north to
south and from east to west. This year, the rains started on time
in most areas, were generally well distributed, and were considered
by most farmers to be better than in recent years. However, heavy
rains in August spoilt some crops, especially in Bahr el Ghazal and
prevented later planting of sorghum in parts of Jonglei where soils
remained water-logged for several weeks. Agricultural inputs The
principal users of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and improved
seeds in Sudan are the farmers in the irrigated sector. Improved sorghum
varieties grown this year include 'Wad Ahmed', 'Tabet', 'White Dwarf'
and 'Gadam Hamam'. Fertilizer - usually only urea - is normally provided
through the corporations managing the schemes; there may be some under-application
resulting from farmers selling all or part of their allocation. Pesticide
use on cereals remains low, pesticides being reserved principally
for cash crops such as cotton. Increasingly, farmers in the rainfed
and mechanised sector are recognising the potential advantages of
certain inputs, especially of improved seed. 'Tabet' and 'Feterita'
are widely used. The results, however, are not always striking, depending
as they do on the satisfactory implementation of all the other cultivation
practices and good rainfall distribution. While it is true that the
vast majority of farmers in the traditional sector still use seed
saved from their previous harvest and apply no purchased inputs, the
small proportion using improved seed is gradually growing in those
areas benefiting from the various distribution programmes of Government,
NGOs and international organisations and the results are generally
encouraging. In Red Sea State, for instance, the sorghum varieties
'Arfa Gadamek', 'Aklamoy' and 'Hamashin' were distributed. Seed distribution
is especially important in areas that have suffered repeated droughts
where farmers, because of poor or non-existent harvests, have been
unable to save seed. The
increase in the cost of fuel in October 2001 appears to have had little
effect on planting operations for sorghum and millet, but has affected
harvesting and is expected to have an impact on wheat production during
the current winter season. Several states that were expecting high
production of cereals were faced with inadequate supply of empty sacks.
Weeds, pests and diseases 2001
was not remarkable for pest infestation or disease infection amongst
the cereal crops, and in those areas where production was poor, low
yields were more usually attributable primarily to problems of rainfall
distribution. However, there were localised instances of sorghum midge
(Contarinia sorghicola) in most sorghum-producing areas which led to
yield reductions, and there were some indications that the variety
'Tabet' might be more susceptible than others. Outbreaks, however,
were generally not serious, and certainly not on the scale of two
years ago when crops were devastated in the eastern states. Some limited
outbreaks of American bollworm were reported in parts of the centre
and east. Sorghum smut hit some crops, but usually at a low rate;
the traditional sector is most susceptible because of the use of untreated
seed. Incidence of downy mildew on millet was observed in parts of
North Darfur. Birds were often troublesome for both sorghum and millet
crops in localities where woodlands provide nesting sites, but their
effects were generally reduced by the MOA's extensive and effective
spraying campaign against Quelea
quelea, which is classified as a national pest. Grasshoppers attacked
millet, and to a lesser extent sorghum, in many areas, especially
in the west. Millet headworm was reported in several parts of the
west, often causing a further reduction in yields that were already
low in those areas experiencing poorly distributed rainfall. Striga
was noted in a significant proportion of sorghum fields, but its severity
appears to have been low. In some areas, such as parts of Kordofan,
where the normally staggered start to the rains allows a movement
of labour for weeding, this year's uniform start resulted in inadequate
weeding of a high proportion of cultivated land. Sudan grass and couch-grass
were the most troublesome of the weeds. Pests
and diseases of non-cereal crops were generally not serious this year,
with the important exception of the watermelon bug, which devastated
hundreds of thousands of hectares of watermelon in the west of the
country. Last year, a food-for-work campaign was mounted, whereby
food was earned in return for the manual removal of bugs from the
watermelon crop. Despite the fact that the campaign was highly effective
in demonstrating its efficacy, the practice does not appear to have
been implemented this year. Prices High
cereal prices in 2001 as a result of poor harvest in 2000 and subsequent
low quantities of grain in store encouraged further expansion of cereal
production in mechanised and irrigated sectors of northern Sudan.
For instance, sorghum retail prices of SP45 000 to SP50 000
per 90 kg bag which prevailed at the beginning of the cropping season
(i.e. from May to July 2001) were well above the SP20 000 considered
to be the break-even price for rainfed production, and millet was
selling for as much as SP100 000 per 100 kg bag in areas of chronically
low production. 3.2 Cereal production
forecast The
cereal production forecast for Sudan for 2001/02 is presented in Table
1, along with comparable data for 2000/01. Table 2 gives estimates
of harvested area, yield and production by crop and region for the
five years 1997/98 - 2001/02. Table 3 shows the total cereal production
for each of the northern regions in 2000/01 and 2001/02. This
year's estimated national cereal production of about 4.81 million
tonnes is approximately 38 percent higher than last year's, and 9
percent higher than the average of the preceding five years. However,
it is still substantially less than the 5.8 million tonnes produced
in 1998/99. Much of this year's increase over last year's production
is attributable to a significant expansion of harvested area rather
than to increased yields. For instance, in the northern sector, the
harvested area of sorghum was 33 percent, and the harvested area of
millet 31 percent larger than the equivalent areas last year. Table
1. Sudan: Cereal production forecast for 2001/02 and estimates of
2000/01 (000 tonnes)
*
Includes maize, mainly
produced in southern States, and small amounts of rice Source: Ministry of Agriculture estimates and Mission forecast. Table
2. Sudan: Area, yield and
production forecast by crop and Region for 2001/02, compared with
previous years.
*
Includes maize, mainly
produced in southern States, and small amounts of rice. Source: Ministry of Agriculture estimates and Mission forecast. 3.3 Other crops
The
area under rice expanded this year as a result of the higher river
levels. White Nile State expected to harvest about 20 000 feddans
(8 260 ha), with a yield of around ten 50 kg bags per feddan (1.2
t/ha), while smaller areas are grown in parts of Bahr el Ghazal. This
year's satisfactory total rainfall amounts have also favoured an increase
in vegetable production in the northern sector, especially in riverine
areas which have benefited from the higher-than-average water levels.
Groundnut yields have been generally better than last year, as have
those of sesame and karkade; cotton yields are expected to be similar
to those of last year. However, the area planted to sesame was smaller
this year than during the previous two years, with the trend reverting
to more sorghum. In the south, the area under groundnut was slightly
smaller than last year, but yields were satisfactory. Cassava yields
are forecast to be similar to those of last year, but with an expanded
cropped area. The price of cassava flour is currently very low. Watermelon
is an important crop for much of the west of Sudan. It provides a
storable source of nutrition and water for both people and livestock.
This year in North and West Kordofan an estimated two million feddans
(826 000 ha) planted to watermelon were lost completely, largely
as a result of attack by the watermelon bug. Greater Darfur fared
better, though the reduction was still considerable. 3.4 Livestock Livestock
in the northern sector are in good condition at present. Rangelands,
being less sensitive than crops to rainfall distribution, are generally
good as a result of the satisfactory total rainfall amounts received
over much of the country. In parts of South Darfur, however, where
livestock are very important, rangelands are already severely depleted
and pastoralists are preparing to move their animals south and west.
Where there is competition for grazing, such forced movement may lead
to conflict. Further north in parts of North Darfur, water problems
are anticipated in a few months time. The water levels in many hafirs
are already low and some are reported to have remained dry throughout
the rainy season. In the south, good rainfall and fewer major floods
have ensured generally better pasture this year and removed much of
the grazing pressure which often leads to conflict. Livestock condition
is good, and, thanks to the annual vaccination programme, rinderpest
remains under control, with no confirmed outbreaks over the last six
years 4. AGRICULTURAL
SITUATION BY REGION 4.1 Northern
Sector Northern
Sudan's total grain production in 2001/02 is expected to show an increase
over last year of 38 percent, as is shown in Table 3. Most of this
increase was attributable to sorghum which was much more extensively
planted this year. Table
3. Northern Sudan - Aggregated
cereal production in 2001/02 and 2000/01 (000 tonnes)
Northern Region (Northern, Nile) The
population of Northern Region, which comprises Northern and Nile States,
is predominantly settled along the banks of the River Nile. Cereal
production is mainly based on irrigation, with maize and sorghum being
produced in the summer and wheat being grown during the winter months.
Summer cereals are grown in pumped irrigation schemes along the Nile
and on low-lying "demira" (flood recession) areas. By virtue
of its comparatively cool winters and its access to irrigation, Northern
Region is the country's main wheat producer. This
year, the region's sorghum production is forecast to be more than
60 percent higher than last year, mainly as a result of lateral expansion
in River Nile State; the harvestable area is almost twice what it
was last year. Although the region's sorghum yields are expected to
be quite satisfactory this year at 1.9 t/ha, this will be lower than
last year's productivity achieved on a smaller area. Last
year's winter temperatures were lower than normal, and, judging by
early December temperatures, it seems that this may be repeated this
year. Low December temperatures will favour the establishment of the
wheat crop, and if they continue into February a good crop can be
expected. On the basis of the favourable start to the season, yields
similar to last year's - 1.2 to 1.3 t/ha - are predicted. A significant
expansion of the wheat area was planned for this year but on the evidence
of progress observed by the beginning of December it appears that
the targets set may not be achieved; harvested areas similar to last
year are anticipated. Eastern Region (Gedaref, Kassala, Red Sea) Eastern
Region includes the major irrigation scheme (New Halfa), 45 percent
of another (Rahad), one expanding irrigation scheme (Kassala), two
spate irrigation schemes (Gash and Tokar), and the largest rainfed
mechanised farming area in the country. This year, with a substantial
increase from 2000/01, the region produced about 17 percent of the
north's total cereal crop. The rains were generally favourable in
the principal production areas, and there was an overall expansion
in harvested area compared with last year. The rainfed mechanised
area under sorghum in Gedaref, at more than three million feddans
(1.3 million hectares), was almost 20 percent larger than in 2000/01,
but yields, which averaged about one-and-a-half bags per feddan, were
lower than last year, pulling overall production down to slightly
below last year's levels. New Halfa, Gash and Rahad also registered
increased areas under sorghum, but the area in Tokar contracted slightly.
Yields at New Halfa, Gash and Tokar were all better than last year
with the result that production on all four schemes was above that
of last year. Kassala, despite a huge expansion of its area under
irrigated sorghum (from 1 000 to 32 000 feddans), recorded
very low yields of less than half a tonne per hectare. Wheat production
at New Halfa is expected to be similar to 2000/01, at about 20 000 tonnes. The
yield reduction recorded for rainfed mechanised sorghum at Gedaref
despite generally favourable rainfall, may be the manifestation of
declining soil fertility which has often been predicted for this area
where sorghum is mono-cropped and no fertiliser and improved seed
are used. Levels
of pests, diseases and weeds have been generally low this year, with
a manageable incidence of Striga
and only occasional localised reporting of American bollworm. Sorghum
prices started falling in September in anticipation of satisfactory
production, from about SP50 000 per 90kg bag to SP25 000
in November. This led to fears that some of the crop still standing
might not be harvested, the low yields and low prices not justifying
the expense. In
the north of the region in Red Sea State, winter rains along the littoral
have started well, but areas further inland have had a third consecutive
year of drought. Central Region (Gezira, Sennar, Damazin, Blue Nile, White Nile) This
year, Central Region is expected to produce almost 50 percent more
grain than it did last year, which will represent approximately 40
percent of the north of Sudan's total grain production. The region
comprises four major irrigation schemes (Gezira, Blue Nile, White
Nile and Suki), 55 percent of the Rahad irrigation scheme, and substantial
areas of rainfed mechanised and traditional farming. For
the rainfed sectors rainfall was very satisfactory this year in terms
of both quantity and distribution; 850 mm were recorded at Damazin.
In fact, the few delays that were reported for planting were usually
due to excessively heavy rainfall. The region's significant increases
in production were overwhelmingly attributable to increases in area
in both the irrigated and rainfed areas; yields did not change significantly
from their levels of last year. Because
of the relatively high levels of the Nile this year, White Nile State
has seen a big expansion of rice production, from about 5 000
feddans last year to 20 000 this year. The high water levels
have also favoured increased vegetable production. Levels
of pests, diseases and weeds have been generally low this year, with
a manageable incidence of Striga
and only occasional localised reporting of American bollworm. Sorghum
prices in the region at the end of November were similar to those
around Gedaref, again leading to fears that sorghum still standing
late in the season might be considered to be not worth harvesting. Livestock
condition is good. With the satisfactory rainy season, grazing is
excellent, and the availability of water for livestock is expected
to be assured. Kordofan (North, South and West) Rainfall
in most of Greater Kordofan was satisfactory this year in terms of
both quantity and distribution, though this was not always the case
in some areas in the north of North Kordofan. In these areas early
rains were patchy, which usually necessitated re-planting, and the
rains stopped early. Over those large areas which had better rainfall,
a uniform rather than a staggered start to the rains led frequently
to labour shortages for cultivation and planting. Heavy early rains
on some of the lighter soils were blamed for a reduction of fertility. Cereal
production in Greater Kordofan is expected to be more than twice as
high as last year, largely as a result of large increases in the harvested
area of sorghum. Sorghum production is expected to be well above the
average of the previous five years and close to the very satisfactory
levels of 1998/99. Because
of the generally better rains, cereal production in Greater Kordofan
is expected to be considerably higher this year than in 2000, a function
of both increased area and increased overall yields. However, this
increase masks some serious local deficits, especially in parts of
North Kordofan where rainfall was poor. Birds were a problem in parts
of South and West Kodofan, despite the fact that some major nesting
areas were sprayed. Few other significant cereal pests were reported,
although millet headworm was locally troublesome. The
good early rains in many areas often had an adverse effect on sesame
production, with too much vegetative growth at the expense of seed
production. In those areas of North Kordofan experiencing repeated
post-germination failure for millet, farmers often turned late in
the season to millet, but with unsatisfactory results. The
watermelon crop of North and West Kordofan, an important contributor
to household food security, was almost totally devastated this year
by the watermelon bug as well as some other unidentified causes. The
situation in the northern part of Western Kordofan State is comparable
with the northern part of North Kordofan State, they both considered
pockets of food deficit in Great Kordofan. Darfur (North, South and West) Rainfall
in Greater Darfur varied greatly by location during 2001, as did crop
performance. West
Darfur has had very satisfactory crop production this year following
a season of well distributed rains totalling between 320 and 750 mm.
Harvested areas of both sorghum and millet greatly exceeded last year's,
and sorghum yields were significantly higher; millet yields were also
slightly higher than in 2000. Crop
production in North Darfur is similar to that of last year, despite
a very significant increase in the area under millet. The overall
millet yield has, however, been seriously reduced by some very poor
performance on the sandy soils of the north and east of the state.
Watermelon also suffered in these areas, mostly as a result of attack
by watermelon bug. Parts
of South Darfur have been particularly badly affected this year by
an early cessation of rainfall. After an encouraging start for the
millet crop, there were prolonged dry spells during July and August
and often only sporadic showers during September, which allowed heading
and flowering but no grain-filling. The complete lack of rain thereafter
has resulted in large areas of un-harvestable crop. Northerly parts
of North Kordofan and North Darfur have also suffered from poor rainfall
this year. In North Darfur, a dry spell of between three and six weeks
was reported from the end of July to the beginning of September, whereas
in North Kordofan, in contrast to most other parts of the country,
there was no significant cropping rainfall before July, after which
the rains stopped early. Groundnut
has performed well this year. Especially large areas have been recorded
in South Darfur where the harvested area of groundnuts is expected
to exceed that of millet. Substantial areas were planted to sesame,
with yields varying from as low as 25 kg/feddan in North Darfur to
almost 100 kg/feddan elsewhere. Livestock
condition and rangelands are generally good at present, though some
areas will face problems in the near future. In parts of eastern and
northern North Darfur, water levels in hafirs are low and several
hafirs have remained dry throughout the season; livestock numbers
in these areas are already depleted after last year's poor pasture
production, and livestock prices are low. In parts of South Darfur,
rangelands are already grazed down and pastoralists are preparing
to move their livestock further south or west in search of better
grazing. Livestock numbers in these areas are high and hold the potential
for causing conflict if there is competition for grazing later in
the dry season. 4.2 Southern
Sector Southern
Sudan, with an area of 640 000 km2 and an estimated
population of 6.3 million people in 2001, has been in a state of continuous
conflict since 1983. The
diverse resources, which have traditionally supported complex livelihood
systems including farming, fishing, pastoralism, hunting and trading,
have been rendered inaccessible to varying degrees according to location,
by civil war, inter-factional rivalry, looting, cattle raiding, terror
and scorched-earth tactics. The results of the conflict and breakdown
of law and order have effectively shattered the integrity of the region.
The outcome is a series of government controlled townships, accessible
only by air, or protected rail and river convoys, located in a matrix
of divided, rebel-held countryside. Administratively,
there are three distinct zones encompassing the GoS-held areas, the
SPLA-held areas and the SSLA areas. The GoS divides the Southern Sudan
into ten states, grouped into three Regions. The rebel-held countryside
is divided into six regions, now subdivided into 34 counties. The
complex agro-ecology of the south results in a growing season varying
from 150 days in the north to 300 days in the south, offering the
opportunity to replant early crop failures in the north and grow at
least two cycles of crops on the same area in the “Green Belt” in
Western Equatoria, Yei and Kajo-Keji. Past development policies, easier
access and better security for investment, have led to the emergence
of large-scale mechanized farms in the northern clay plains of Upper
Nile Region, which generally accounts for 25 percent of the cereal
production. Elsewhere, apart from around 2 000 hectares of mechanized
farming around Juba and Wau towns, agricultural production is accomplished
by some 900 000 subsistence or near subsistence, hand-cultivating
households. The farmers grow a wide range of sorghum landraces with
minor crops of maize, pearl-millet, finger-millet and rice. Other
crops grown vary according to agro-ecological zone. In the north,
groundnuts make very important contributions to the household food
economy along with small areas of sesame, tobacco, pumpkins and beans.
In the south and central regions, the most important crop is cassava,
which in West Equatoria, West Bahr el Ghazal , Bahr el Jebel and Lakes
may produce half or more of the carbohydrate needs, according to location.
Consequently, diet varies significantly between agro-ecological zones.
According to WFP household food economy estimates, annual cereal consumption
ranges from 60 kg to 110 kg per caput. Cereal production in 2001 The
disruption of the civil service has led to a complete breakdown of
the official gathering of agricultural statistics. In Government-held
areas, State Ministries of Agriculture offices, though extant, are
understaffed, under-funded and only have access to limited areas around
the towns. They have virtually no facilities with which to operate.
In the rebel-held areas, the county agricultural co-ordinators attached
to SRRA and RASS offices are equally without facilities. They rely
heavily on information provided by volunteer agricultural extension
workers who are in need of training in natural resource information
gathering and handling. Information
is therefore very fragile. It is based on subjective judgements and
anecdotal evidence extrapolated to state level. In both northern and
southern sectors, NGOs running agricultural projects collect valuable
information regarding crop and animal production related to their
activities, but rarely enter into objective measurements of area and
production. Further,
the relief monitoring and annual needs assessment exercises conducted
by LOS/WFP provide useful estimates of food stocks, conditions and
performance, but all are far removed from the cadastral surveys and
yield estimates required for accurate production assessments. Area estimates Consequently,
the Mission relies on calculations using best-bet population estimates
adjusted by various factors to estimate area. This year, UNICEF’s
Multi-indicator Cluster Survey has been used, adjusted by State MoA
information from Juba and Renk (Upper Nile) and WFP Technical Support
Unit 2001 updates. Different factors, according to locations for a)
farming families; b) farm sizes; and c) cereals cropped, have been
employed to determine area cropped as shown in Table 4. The factors
have been updated by Mission terrestrial and aerial observations and
the OLS-WFP-NGO-MoA reports. In
most zones, except Jonglei due to water-logging, Raga due to major
conflict and Unity due to insecurity, areas farmed have remained stable
or increased. Northern Bahr el Ghazal indicates a much greater agricultural
area due to the inclusion of Tonj (Warrab) in this zone in 2001[1]. Table
4. Population and Area Estimates in Southern Sudan, 2001
Main
source is MICs (UNICEF and WFP 2001 adjustments) at six members per
hh. *Source:
State MoA estimates. NB: No farming in Raga assumed this year.
This year Warrab included as Tonj in North Bahr el Ghazal. Production estimates Production
estimates include all cereals harvested during the year 2001, including
those already consumed. For the sake of balancing cereal availability
and requirements for marketing year 2002, it is assumed that a similar
quantity will be available next year (2002). Such an assumption holds
little risk in most areas if the rainfall pattern in the northern
territories conforms to normal expectations and security continues
to improve. Cereal
production, from the traditional sector, in 2001 is 12 percent higher
than the previous year, due to the significant increase in yields
and a greater area of sorghum planted. This figure masks the failure
to plant cereals in Raja and lower production in Jonglei. The production
in Bahr el Jebel has increased due to expansion of farming around
Juba. No information is available for Yei, Kajo-Keji or Unity States,
therefore data similar to last year have been entered. The
mechanized sector, given continuing rains as predicted by long range
weather forecasts and adequate quelea
quelea control, is expected to produce 122 000 tonnes of
sorghum. Consequently,
the Mission estimates the 2001/02 cereal harvest in Southern Sudan
at 650 000 tonnes. The harvest expected from the tradition sector
is 529 000 tonnes of which some 396 000 tonnes is expected
to be sorghum. Tables
5a and 5b provide time-series data of cereal production by State and
location respectively, however, care is needed in interpretation because
of changing population estimates and territorial inclusions from year
to year. Table 5a. Southern
Sudan - Trends in traditional cereal production by state, 1997 - 2001
Table 5b. Southern
Sudan - Trends in mechanised cereal production by location, 1997 -
2001
Other Crops The
agricultural potential of southern Sudan is high, a wide range of
field, vegetable and tree crops may be grown successfully in all states.
In the traditional sector, most crops are grown in insignificant quantities
due to the effect of the civil war exacerbating the pre-war lack of
development of the area. West Equatoria, Lakes and Yei were previously
exceptions to the rule, but the stagnation of economic activities
in urban centres, during the past 15 years, has eliminated earlier
progress. Consequently, across the board all other crops are associated
with subsistence use rather than cash sale. Yet, in such locations,
surpluses of fruits in season are identifiable each year including
mangoes, bananas, papayas and oil seeds, available in quantities that
may make small-scale village level processing a viable option, if
markets can be found. The
two most important crops, other than cereals, are cassava and groundnuts.
Cassava forms a household safety net in all but the three most northern
states where groundnuts take on a similar significance as a short-cycle,
later alternative to sorghum. In N Bahr el Ghazal, groundnuts are
usually planted separately, in weed free conditions, in plots of 0.2
to 0.4 hectares. With the advent of animal traction, which is
well suited to the northern sandier soils, groundnut entrepreneurs
are emerging with the occasional farm of 5-10 hectares now apparent.
This year, groundnut areas are noted as less than last year, as more
sorghum was planted early in the season. Nevertheless, the area is
substantial. This
year the cassava crop is normal. Mission crop-cutting spot-checks
in Wau and Western Equatoria suggest production may be around 20-25
tonnes per hectare for the two-year variety. In West Equatoria, cassava
is not only grown in combinations with a variety of cereals, but is
also planted at the end of the “shifting” rotation as a perennial.
Cassava areas are, therefore, greater than elsewhere, which explains
the very low price of cassava flour in the local markets at SP3 000
per quintal. Given that cassava stocks are likely to have been lost
in Raja, cassava flour from Western Equatoria offers a readily available
alternative if purchasing and transport can be arranged. In
West Bahr el Ghazal, Lakes, Warrab and Bahr el Jebel, many crops tend
to be grown inter-cropped with long-cycle sorghum in the plots furthest
from the homestead. Such combinations included cassava, sesame, beans
and groundnuts. Therefore, the areas of cassava and groundnuts are
similar to areas of the less intensively sown sorghum. The
other major crop in the mechanized sector is sesame. This year, sesame
area is estimated at 52 000 hectares at Renk and yields are noted
as variable. This suggests a declining interest in sesame production
compared to the past 2 years. Livestock The
contribution of livestock to food security varies from state to state,
according to presence of trypanosomiasis. Generally, the more significant
contribution to household food economies are in Bahr el Ghazal, Jonglei,
Upper Nile and the drier zones of East Equatoria. This
year, the early start to the rainy season initiated early pasture
growth. Later rains have afforded normal or greater than normal vegetation
growth in all range areas. Fewer major floods to date suggest that
the riverine water pastures have been more accessible and animal movement
easier, which has eased grazing pressure around villages and towns.
Consequently, animal body condition in the settled herds and flocks
is better this year. Less flooding has also reduced the swamp-related
parasitic infections. Better condition suggests better maternal performance,
which should reduce neo-natal mortalities and increase milk production
and growth rates of young stock. Unfortunately, there are no data
relating to livestock production parameters to identify norms, let
alone identify annual deviations from norms. The only hard information
available details veterinary activities conducted by NGOs working
in both sectors. Such data confirm that the rinderpest vaccination
campaigns, using community animal health workers and vaccinators,
have been conducted and that routine outbreaks/treatment of black
quarter, haemorrhagic septicaemia, peste de petits ruminants (PPR)
and CBPP have been conducted. No confirmed outbreaks of rinderpest
over the past 5-6 years has resulted in a partial change to the vaccination
policies. From next year, annual vaccination programmes are to be
dropped and antibody monitoring introduced in areas west of the Nile.
It is unclear what effect this will have on funding or access to herds
for other veterinary or data collection purposes. Food availability in southern Sudan Despite
a better year, an overall deficit is expected in 2002, which will
be compounded by further needs if the early season crops do not perform
as well as this year. Bahr el Ghazal exhibits a more general deficit
concomitant with the growing days/rainfall expected. However, the
requirement of 29 000 tonnes is mostly due to an imbalance in
cereal production and population in the Northern State and has been
traditionally solved through groundnuts, cattle trade and remittances.
Such mechanisms still exist but not at the previous levels, which
means intervention will be necessary until pre-war conditions return. Table
6 provides a breakdown of the situation by location, including the
production and needs of Government and rebel-held areas combined. The overall deficit does not take into consideration some 10 000
tonnes of wheat imported to the Government held towns. It is thought
that wheat has an urban market, outside the food economy profiles
upon which cereal consumption is based and is additional to stated
per capita needs. Table
6. Southern Sudan: Traditional sector cereal supply/demand balance
in 2001/02
Note: Seeds at 10kg/ha and losses and other
uses (backyard poultry) at 12 percent. Given
the difficulties in unassisted transfer of grains from surplus area
to deficit area, due to marketing and access problems, intervention
needs are likely to be greater than the estimated deficit. Clearly,
local purchasing is desirable from the point of view of boosting local
production but should be tailored imaginatively, to match the commodities
available (local sorghum, maize, finger-millet, cassava flour) and
quantities that can be readily accessed. Farmers' Associations in
Western Equatoria have been formed and offer a mechanism for purchasing
maize and sorghum that have already been tested. Surpluses of finger-millet
and cassava flour may be more readily available if consumer demand
exists and quality control standards, for the latter, can be identified
and introduced. Notwithstanding
the above, the quantity of sorghum needed to match southern Sudanese
requirements may easily be met by grains from the Renk mechanized
sector. Such stocks are traded to the North via Kosti, but may be
suitable supplies for movement south, in the dry season. 5. EMERGENCY
SUPPORT MEASURES TO HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY There
is an urgent need for early purchase, treatment, storage and transport
of local crop seeds (sorghum, millet, maize and rice), for distribution
to needy farmers and IDPs, in time for the next main cropping season,
that starts in June/July 2002 in the North and April/May in the South.
Farmers in the drought-prone regions of western and eastern Sudan
that have experienced crop failures during the 2001 would require
an estimated 1 550 tonnes of millet and sorghum seeds for the next
planting season. Also an estimated 400 000 war-affected households
in Southern Sudan, including 100 000 IDP families will require
hand-tools, appropriate crop and vegetable seeds. In
addition boosting animal feed stocks, preferably by rehabilitating
pasture and range land through local purchases of range and pasture
seeds and support to the immunisation campaigns will enable to reduce
vulnerability to malnutrition and improve livelihood security of 600 000
livestock-owning families in southern Sudan and the transitional zone.
Provision of fishing equipment will also contribute to making cheap animal proteins available to the most destitute households. 6. FOOD SUPPLY
SITUATION 6.1 Current market situation Average cereal prices for most of 2001 remained relatively
high reflecting the previous year’s poor harvest. Figure 1 indicates
the 2000 and 2001 sorghum prices in Gedaref, a major cereals market
in the country. However, as prospects for a good crop in the major
producing areas became apparent, sharp price declines were observed
in September. For instance, a 90kg bag of sorghum which was selling
at almost SP45 000 in August 2001 fell to SP28 000 in November
2001 – a 38 percent drop over a three-month period. In
some outlying areas of Gedaref, prices were reported to have fallen
to less than SP15 000/bag during November. Millet
prices in main producing areas of Kordofan and Darfur remained consistently
higher throughout 2001 compared to the previous year. Livestock prices,
on the other hand, were generally lower for the most part in 2001.
As indicated in Figure 2, the terms of trade became increasingly unfavourable
for pastoralists, meaning that they had to sell more goats to buy
the same quantity of millet. Source: Nyala Cereals and Livestock Markets In
southern Sudan, sorghum prices on the large schemes in Upper Nile
State were beginning to fall from levels of between SP45 000
and 50 000 prior to harvest; in Bahr el Jebel sorghum prices
at the same time were as high as SP90 000. Cassava flour was
selling for about SP3 000 per 100kg bag in early November. Table 7. Sorghum Prices in Southern Sudan in October 2001,
compared to the previous year
Source:
Collected by Mission from various sources. Prices
for cash crops have remained low in 2001 compared to 2000 across different
markets in northern Sudan. Groundnuts presently sell for between SP8 000
and SP14 000 per 45 kg bag, and sesame is selling for between
SP20 000 and SP30 000 per 45 kg bag. Increased production
coupled with depressed world prices have exposed many farmers to large
financial losses. Many mechanised farmers have abandoned harvesting
their cash-crops in order not to incur more financial losses. 6.2 Cereal supply/demand
balance for 2001/02 The cereal balance shown in Table 8 is based on the
following assumptions: ·
Opening
stocks of cereals, mainly in the Strategic Commodity Reserve Authority
and WFP stores, at the beginning of the marketing year 2001/ 02
(November/October) are estimated at 106 000 tonnes, of which
about 50 percent is wheat. ·
Aggregate
cereal production is estimated at 4.81 million tonnes, which together
with the carryover stocks gives a domestic availability of 4.92 million
tonnes of cereals. ·
In deriving
total cereal food requirements, the mission took account of regional
differences in diets, food production and availability, historical
trends, and conditions created by the ongoing civil conflict. For
northern states and garrison towns in the south, the average cereal
requirement per caput in the year 2001/2002 has been assumed to be
145 kg, which is the same as last year. This comprises 80 kg of sorghum,
16 kg of millet, 47 kg of wheat, and 2 kg of other grains. Latest
estimates indicate a population of 27.5 million in the northern states
and the garrison towns in the south in mid-2001/02 marketing year.
The cereal requirement of this population amounts to about four million
tonnes. For the rural areas in southern Sudan, where there is a higher
intake of cassava and other root crops, per caput mixed cereal requirements
are estimated at 75 kg, slightly higher than last year due to improved
domestic availability and revised population estimates (see Table
6). This figure includes 10 kg of maize, 36 kg of sorghum, 7 kg of
millet and 22 kg of wheat. On the basis of a mid-year population of
about 6.3 million, the cereal requirement for the rural areas of southern
Sudan amounts to about 472 000 tonnes. ·
National
livestock feed requirements, seed and crop losses are assumed at about
15 percent of production. Seed rates are normally estimated at 7.5kg/ha
for sorghum, 5kg/ha for millet and 150kg/ha for wheat. ·
Cereal
exports, mainly to Chad and other neighbouring countries, are estimated
at 100 000 tonnes of sorghum. ·
Imports
of wheat have risen nearly fivefold from 1990 to 2000, reflecting
population increase, a change in consumer taste fostered by urbanisation
and increased income in some segments of society. Wheat consumption,
expected to be 1.451 million tonnes in the 2001/02 marketing year
(November to October), will be well above the anticipated domestic
production of 315 000 tonnes. Therefore, about 1.1 million tonnes
of wheat will need to be imported to meet consumption requirements.
Commercial wheat and wheat flour imports are expected to be almost
1.15 million tonnes, similar to last year’s actual imports. Table 8. Sudan. Cereal balance sheet for 2001/02 ( 000
tonnes)
Increased
cereal production in 2001 will allow for a build-up in national stocks.
With a significant increase in sorghum production, stocks are expected
to increase substantially to more than 700 000 tonnes, the equivalent
of more than three months consumption requirements. However, the global
picture masks serious deficits at regional and local levels. Despite
increased production, several areas in southern Sudan will be in cereal
deficit mainly due to population displacement and insecurity. The
predicted cereal surpluses in some regions will be unavailable in
deficit areas due to market segmentation and absence or break down
of normal trade routes and infrastructure. Even within surplus States
the inability of both urban and rural poor to access the available
food means that food assistance will be required in 2002. Furthermore,
parts of western Sudan and Red Sea State have suffered crop failures
due to erratic weather. For most, this is the third consecutive year
of poor harvest. As a result, prices of cereals, particularly for
the staple millet crop, have remained unusually high during 2001,
thus eroding the purchasing power of the population, with large segments
depending of food assistance. Therefore, targeted emergency food assistance
will be required in these areas. For
food aid requirements in 2002, the Mission strongly recommends local
purchases of domestic cereals. Adequate supplies will be available,
prices should be competitive, and local procurement could add strength
to an expected weak market in 2002. 6.3 Nutrition
Situation The
nutrition status of the population is monitored through data provided
by UNICEF and NGOs. During 2001, the nutritional status deteriorated
in parts and progress made in reducing malnutrition in 1999 to mid-2000
was reversed in parts due to escalation of conflict and drought. This
has exacerbated the overall food insecurity in these areas and further
weakened coping mechanisms of vulnerable people. In areas with poor
security such as parts of Bahr el Ghazal, Upper Nile, Eastern Equatorial
and Unity, malnutrition is usually high at 15-30 percent throughout
the year. However, in other more accessible areas, food aid has helped
in bringing down malnutrition rates to less than 10 percent, with
the exception of the Red Sea State where continued severe drought
since 1998 has affected large numbers of people. Inadequate provision
of basic services such as health, water and sanitation compound the
problem of malnutrition and remain a great challenge. The
overall malnutrion rates in most parts of Sudan remain precarious,
at over 15 percent. In 2002, the nutrition status is expected to deteriorate
or remain as high in Red Sea State, parts of North Kordofan, West
Kordofan, North Darfur, South Darfur due to poor harvest in 2001;
and in several Zones in southern Sudan, including Kapeota and Torit
in East Equatoria, Aweil West, Aweil East, Gogrial, Twic/Abyei and
Tonj in North Bahr el Ghazal, Raja in West Bahr el Ghazal, Jonglei
and Unity mainly due to population displacement and insecurity. 6.4 Emergency
Food Aid Needs in the Year 2002 The
Annual Needs Assessment findings for the Sudan indicate that in the
year 2002, over 2 million people in Unity, Bahr El Ghazal, Equatoria,
Jonglei, Red Sea State and parts of Kordofan and Darfur will require
food aid. In
Unity State, a volatile and fragile security situation continued through
2001. Fighting around the oil fields, coupled with militia and inter-
tribal clashes have displaced over 50 000 people of Bentiu, Rubkona
and Pariang. As a result, agriculture production has suffered as many
displaced flee their homes in search of relatively secured areas and
food aid. In Greater Bahr el Ghazal, fighting in Raga displaced more than
18 000 IDPs mainly during the planting season affecting crop
production. Raga was a main supplier of food crops to Wau and other
parts of the region. In Kapoeta, Eastern Equatoria dry spells, inadequate
availability of inputs such as seeds, floods and pests have resulted
in poor harvest increasing the need for food assistance at least through
the hunger-season until July 2002. Emergency
assistance will also be required in Red Sea State, parts of North
& south Darfur and North & West Kordofan well into 2002, due
to poor harvest following erratic rains. While
total food availability in the country is satisfactory, pockets of
serious food shortages have already been identified and their food
requirement estimated. In the affected States of Kordofan, Darfur
and the Red Sea the food deficit is estimated at about 78 000
tonnes. In southern Sudan, where insecurity is a major cause of food
aid needs, the overall needs are estimated at 52 000 tonnes.
In addition, food aid needs in the Nuba Mountains (both northern and
southern sectors) amount to about 25 000 tonnes. In total, 155 000
tonnes of food aid is required in 2002 to assist IDPs, drought affected
and vulnerable people. 5.4 Other WFP
Interventions Food-for-Work (FFW): WFP
has implemented FFW programmes in the drought-prone States of Darfur,
Kordofan and Red Sea. In these States, droughts have frequently resulted
in crop failure and water shortages making the region chronically
food insecure. The objective is to support poor households by providing
employment and in the improving water availability. In 2001, the region
suffered from a severe drought and as a first response the FFW activities
were expanded to support more people. A total of 11 000 tonnes
of mixed food commodities were distributed benefiting 294 000
drought affected people. As part of the
Country Programme, construction/rehabilitation of improved Hafirs
(water reservoir), earth dams and hand-dug wells would remain as the
major intervention in FFW activities. In 2002, 44 Hafirs and 60 wells
are planned for construction/rehabilitation. A total of 21 000
households are expected to benefit from employment opportunities and
126 000 people are expected to receive about 9 000 tonnes
in food aid. School Feeding Programme (SFP):
WFP is supporting School Feeding Programme (SFP) in the five chronically
food deficit states (Northern and Western Darfur, Northern and Western
Kordofan and the Red Sea). These states have low enrolment and high
dropout rates especially for girls. The intervention is expected to
reverse the situation and improve the learning capacity of children.
In 2001, about 337 000 schoolchildren were provided with meals
amounting to 8 500 tonnes of mixed food commodities. During 2002,
in addition to the regular SFP, there will be a mother and child nutrition
component to cater for the malnourished pregnant and nursing mothers
and pre-school children. The SFP will cater for about 386 500 school-children
while the mother and child nutritional component will cater for 9 000
pre-school children and 5 000 women. WFP will provide about 18 000
tonnes of mixed food commodities for the year. Protracted Refugee Operations:
WFP
has provided assistance to Eritrean and Ethiopian refugees in eastern
Sudan since 1967. In 2001 WFP provided food aid to 132 931 refugees
in the regular programme. In addition, WFP provided assistance to
about 90 000 Eritrean refugees who fled the border conflict between
Eritrea and Ethiopia. Repatriation for both caseloads is ongoing and
as a result it is expected that in 2002, a monthly average of 110 000
Eritrean refugees will be assisted from January - April while 55 000
will be assisted from May - December, under one project. A total of
10 724 tonnes of food will be required during this period. WFP continues to support and encouraging participation of women in all activities,
particularly in decision-making roles. Support to grain producers through local purchase: whenever
and wherever possible, WFP uses local purchases to transfer food from
surplus to deficit areas thus supporting farmers and vulnerable groups.
This year surplus cereal production is available in the main producing
areas of central and eastern Sudan and prices, particularly of sorghum,
are declining rapidly. So far, WFP is planning
to purchase up to 15 000 tonnes from the surplus areas and has
already started buying. Timely availability of finance and commitment
form donors are essential to continue local purchases that are essential
optimal production decisions by farmers in 2002. Logistics The WFP programme in Sudan runs a very complex logistics
operation to deliver food to the most vulnerable people affected by
drought and insecurity. In war affected areas of Sudan, access to
beneficiaries is a main challenge and WFP uses a combination of transport
modes to deliver the required food. In the Northern Sector, food is either purchased locally
from surplus areas or imported through Port Sudan depending on donor
contribution. To facilitate efficient food storage and distribution
to beneficiaries, WFP has operational logistics bases with adequate
storage facilities in Khartoum, Port Sudan, Kosti, El Obeid, Malakal,
Juba, Wau, Bentiu, Nyala and Ed Daein. Relief food from these bases
is delivered to recipient locations in both sectors by a combination
of road, river, rail and air transport. Rail and river transport have
not been used much in 2001 for security reasons, but it is hoped that
these modes of transport will be used by commercial arrangement to
the extent they are needed. WFP operates Ilyushin-76, Hercules C-130
and Antonov-12 aircraft from bases in the northern sector in order
to serve southern sector locations primarily in Bahr el Ghazal. Air
transport constitutes the main mode of operation (more than 95 percent)
especially to southern Sudan; most often the only feasible mode, which
justifies the huge operational cost of food delivery. Barges have
been used whenever possible to deliver relief food and non-food items
to beneficiaries along the four river corridors: Sobat, Bentiu, Zeraf
and Juba. In the Southern Sector, food is either purchased in Kenya
or imported through the Kenyan port of Mombasa. Commodities are transported
from Mombasa by road and rail to Lokichoggio, or by rail to WFP intermediate
storage facilities in Kampala and onward by road to Koboko in northern
Uganda. From Koboko, food aid is delivered by road through commercial
transporters to beneficiaries primarily in the Bahr el Ghazal region.
From Lokichoggio, deliveries are primarily made to beneficiaries by
air using C-130 Hercules and Buffalo aircraft. Limited deliveries
are also made by road to locations in Eastern Equatoria and Jonglei.
Northern sector locations, such as government-held towns in Eastern
Equatoria, are also served from Lokichoggio for cost effectiveness.
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