MALI Food Security Update September 2009

• June and July brought a marked rainfall deficit in the northeastern part of ( region and Gourma in Figure 1. Food Security Conditions, September 2009. the Timbuktu region), especially in , , and Ménaka. The resulting delay in the regrowth of grasses caused an unusually high number of animal losses and an extension of the lean period for pastoralists until August, rather than June or July.

• Currently, food security conditions for pastoralists in the remain precarious but have improved substantially thanks to several factors: the return of normal rainfall in mid‐August, support for the area’s pastoralists in the form of livestock feed, the sale of cereals at moderate prices by OPAM [Mali’s Agricultural Products Office], and restocking of community cereal banks.

For more information about FEWS NET’s food insecurity scale, Seasonal Calendar and Important Events visit: www.fews.net/FoodInsecurityScale Source: FEWS NET

Source: FEWS NET Mali

Agricultural and Food Security Conditions in the Gao Region

Food security conditions in the region are relatively normal except in the grazing lands of the Ménaka area. There, food security consumption has deteriorated due to poor milk production and declining terms of trade resulting from difficult herding conditions.

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MALI Food Security Update September 2009

Monthly precipitation figures for July and August from Figure 2. Climatologie d’Afrique RFE compared to rainfall principal towns were below normal to far below normal measured in Timbuktu, Gao, and Ménaka from June 26 to in Ménaka, Bourem, and Ansongo, and considerably September 27. above normal in Gao. Overall they were significantly below August 2008 numbers except in Gao, where they were higher than last year. Total rainfall from May 1 to August 31, 2009 was normal in Gao and below normal to far below normal at the other stations. The total was markedly lower than the August 2008 total everywhere except in Gao, where it was similar.

The return of the rains in August and September replaced shortages with above‐normal precipitation in all three zones (Figure 2).

Water levels on the are rising slowly, but still remaining below last year’s levels for the same period. However, September flooding in the upper and middle parts of the basin points to a high flood stage beginning in December, which will benefit flood‐recession and off‐ season rice crops.

The plant‐health situation was marked by light damage from grain‐eating birds (which pick up the seed) in areas of the valley planted in rice, caterpillar damage to millet, and jassid damage to cowpeas. Even though the birds are scattered throughout feeding and nesting areas, they remain a concern, as usual.

Overall, the 2009‐10 growing season is shaping up as an average one for rice and poor for dune‐grown crops (millet). Rainfall continues to be inadequate and poorly distributed, which is disrupting the normal progression of activities, especially in the Ménaka and Bourem areas. On the whole, areas planted with crops are smaller or far smaller than last season. Planting and/or transplanting operations are continuing hesitantly for rainfed crops and actively for flood‐irrigated rice near the river. With regard to the rice initiative, of the planned target of 150 MT of DAP and urea, 80 MT are available in Gao and 24 MT have been taken by producers. The condition of the crops is satisfactory thanks to the rains in the third dekad of August. Stages of crop development range from height growth for millet and sorghum through height‐growth/heading for flood‐recession sorghum and branching for cowpeas. Source: NOAA/CPC/FEWS NET General livestock conditions are improving after the August and September rains (Figure 3). The level of biomass remains low compared to the same period last year. Pasture condition is average overall, except in Ménaka where it is poor. The poor pastures explain the disruption of normal herd movements. Some migratory herders prefer to wait longer than normal before their return, hence postponing the Cure Salée [“salt cure”].

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MALI Food Security Update September 2009 Figure 3. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI17), September 20, 2009 compared In general, population movements are as usual. However, to 2003-08. unaccustomed arrivals from following civil unrest have been reported in (Ansongo area). In addition, some groups from Niger (Djerma and Peul) have been counted and given support by the ICRC in Ménaka area.

Cereal availability on the markets is average overall thanks to intervention by WFP. As usual, millet prices are increasing above last month’s everywhere on the main markets of the principal towns. They are also higher than in August 2008 everywhere except in Bourem, where they are the same. Everywhere, millet prices are higher than the monthly average for the past five years on the main markets of the principal towns. The price of imported rice (exempt from duties) is stable thanks to import opportunities granted to the merchants.

The number of animals being offered for sale is stable or declining from last month’s level. In August, the average price of a goat was Source: USGS/FEWS NET decreasing slightly from July everywhere except in Gao, where a small increase was seen. It was above the nominal average for 2004‐08 in Ansongo and below it elsewhere. Goat/millet terms of trade deteriorated slightly everywhere in August as compared to July, and as compared to the average for the past five years they were unfavorable to pastoralists everywhere.

Family food reserves in the region are judged to be low. Dietary habits remain normal but improvements are still coming among nomads, due to the low availability of milk because of a lack of pastures. A total of 246 MT of cereals were reported in the region’s cereal banks at the end of the month.

Agricultural and Food Security Conditions in the Timbuktu Region

General pastoral conditions are marked by poor regrowth of both dune‐grown and bourgou pastures. They are considered average to poor (Figure 3). Watering conditions for livestock are average to good overall after the latest rainfall. Animal weights are average to poor, with cases of malnutrition still being observed along the river in Gourma. Unusual gatherings around ponds due to the poor condition of dune pastures have been reported, especially in Niafunké. The animal health situation is relatively calm.

As of the end of August, markets were adequately supplied with cereals, and cereal prices were generally stable or rising. The price of millet was higher than in August 2008 on all markets except in Niafunké, where it was the same. It was higher everywhere than the nominal average for the past five years for the same period.

The number of animals available for sale fluctuated in August, as compared with the prior month. The average price of a goat was higher than the previous month everywhere except in Gourma Rharous, where it was lower. It was above the nominal average for 2004‐08 on all markets except in Diré, where it was slightly below. Goat/millet terms of trade in August were improving over the previous month everywhere except in Diré and Gourma Rharous. As compared to the five‐year average, they were favorable for pastoralists in Timbuktu, Goundam, and Niafunké and unfavorable in Diré and Gourma Rharous.

Dietary habits are normal except in grazing areas, where milk is not yet sufficiently abundant during this period. Family food security reserves are judged to be low overall. Cereal bank sales are underway, and the stocks of cereals reported this month were 164 MT.

During the month, WFP food assistance under the Health Program and as food for work/food for training came to 159 MT, consisting of enriched flour, oil, sugar, millet, garden peas, and rice. The nutritional situation is considered to be calm or normal for this period.

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