Monthly Report on Food Security in Niger for January 2003 Introduction the Household Food Situation Around the Country Is Satisf
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Monthly Report on Food Security in Niger for January 2003 Introduction The household food situation around the country is satisfactory in the wake of a good growing season and the income brought in by off-season irrigated crops cultivated by rural households. The availability of farm produce is reflected in market supplies and reserves at the cooperative and household levels. However, there are warning signs of deterioration in the food situation in certain parts of Tahoua, Maradi and Tillabery, including evidence of a reduced number of daily meals and accelerated rural-urban migration. However, these are isolated cases of moderate food insecurity confined to localized areas, with little effect on the region-wide and nationwide food situation. Over the past few years, there has been a rapid expansion in the acreage planted with two endogenous crops, chufa and sesame, generating a substantial amount of extra farm income and, thereby, helping to strengthen the farm household economy. The increased production of these cash crops is a new household strategy in certain districts such as Aguié, Madarounfa and Guidan Roumdji (Maradi) designed to prevent food insecurity problems by generating extra income. Permanent lakes and ponds and the Niger River continue to provide a regular water supply for livestock. Poor pasture production in the northern reaches of the country has prompted area pastoralists to lead their animals south earlier than usual, which could exacerbate disputes between farmers and pastoralists and weaken terms of trade for pastoralists. Animal health conditions are good. After a relative drop in prices following the fresh supplies of millet brought to market, prices were again pushed up by heavy demand during the month-long fasting period. Since November, millet prices per 100 kg bag have been holding steady 12,000 CFAF in Maradi, 14,000 CFAF in Zinder, and just over 15,000 CFAF in Tillabery. Prices increased in Dosso, from about 12,500 CFAF to 14,000 CFAF. This has maintained despite the slackening of demand with the end of Ramadan and the relative availability of domestic or imported millet at domestic markets, grain banks and the household level. (Figure 2a). A USAID project managed by Chemonics International Inc. Niamey, Villa n0 51 USAID/FEWS NET Niger Téléphone 227 73 41 20 Fax 227 73 41 18 quartier Terminus 2 Animal prices in general and sheep prices in particular are rising with the swelling demand in the weeks leading up to the celebration of Tabaski, the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice. 1. Food security conditions Four months after the end of what was a surplus season, the household food situation around the country is still satisfactory. These favorable conditions are reflected in market supplies and reserves at the cooperative and household levels, notwithstanding the relative decline of household reserves due to self-consumption and the marketing of farm produce. The current state of food availability is a result of the combined effects of the grain surplus and the income generated by off-season vegetable crops normally grown by families in both rural and urban areas in the interval between November and April. These irrigated truck crops help strengthen market supplies and provide extra income as well as essential food supplements to meet household nutrition needs. Pastoralists and their families in the northern reaches of the country (Tahoua and Diffa) are facing food security problems engendered by poor pasture production that has increased the cost of animal feed and forced an early southward migration of pastoralists and their herds. As a result, there will be less available milk production for household use, with potentially disastrous effects on the nutritional status of local families. There are warning signs of deterioration in the food situation in certain parts of the Tahoua, Maradi (Aguié, Chadakori) and Tillabery regions, including accelerated rural- urban migration and a reduction in the number of daily meals. However, these isolated cases of moderate food insecurity are confined to localized areas, with little effect on the regional and nationwide food situation. But the food security status of households in these areas could weaken if appropriate relief measures are not taken within the next two months. 1.1 Increased production of chufa and sesame Over the past few years, there has been a rapid expansion in the acreage planted in two endogenous crops, chufa and sesame, generating a substantial amount of extra farm income and strengthening the farm household economy. This expansion is being driven by new farmer assistance projects and organizational and institution-building programs for farmer cooperatives. Chufa is grown mainly in Maradi Department (in Aguié, Madarounfa and Guidanroumdji Districts) (Map 1). The chufa plant produces a sweet juice used in brewing and baking. A USAID project managed by Chemonics International Inc. Niamey, Villa n0 51 USAID/FEWS NET Niger Téléphone 227 73 41 20 Fax 227 73 41 18 quartier Terminus 3 Map 1. Production zones for sesame and chufa Chufa is purchased from farmers by traders for resale on domestic and Nigerian markets through informal channels. The growing demand for this crop from Nigerian traders and European markets (Spanish markets in particular) is helping to keep prices relatively high. With very little on-farm consumption of this crop, its sale on local, national and export markets brings in income which is generally used by farm families to purchase other farm produce and for expenditure on social events such as marriages and baptisms. (Figure 1). Its high market value is helping to strengthen the financial position of farm families growing this crop. As of January, a household could sell a 100 kg sack of chufa for 17,000 CFA francs on the Dosso market and buy a sack of millet for roughly 14,000 CFA francs, leaving it with a cash margin of 3,000 CFA francs. Figure 1. Chufa use by farmers The growing involvement of farmer cooperatives in sesame production and the increased exports of this crop in response to heavy demand from abroad and Arab countries, in particular, evidence its importance in shoring up local economies. Requiring very little water (500 mm of rain at most), most sesame crops are grown by women in Maradi, Dosso and Tillabery Departments (Map1). The plant bears seeds which are eaten roasted, used by small-scale industries in making sugar cakes or used as a condiment. A USAID project managed by Chemonics International Inc. Niamey, Villa n0 51 USAID/FEWS NET Niger Téléphone 227 73 41 20 Fax 227 73 41 18 quartier Terminus 4 Drawing on ancestral traditions in adapting to changing conditions at the country level, farmers are expanding the area planted in these crops to make up for shortfalls in income from cowpea crops in the wake of poor harvests and market conditions. The strategy of the farm population centers on an ongoing effort to develop appropriate survival measures in a climate of increasing economic liberalization. Thus, the growing market share of these products in the country’s modern market economy is evidence of the eagerness and inventiveness of farm families in positioning themselves in a vast emerging subregional and international market. But the importance of the role of these cash crops in helping to strengthen household food security is contingent upon: • The extension of credit by decentralized financial institutions and NGOs giving farmers better access to needed farm inputs; • The establishment of an information system on prices, inventories, inventory turnover and potential markets; • The diversification of outlets for these products; and • Assistance in the form of organizational and institution-building programs for farmer cooperatives. 2. Watering and grazing conditions for livestock Although major watering points around the country are gradually beginning to dry up as water levels continue to fall (a normal occurrence this time of year), permanent lakes and ponds (Maggia, Komadougou and Goulbi) and the Niger River continue to provide a regular water supply for the country’s animal population. For urban households and pastoralists, access to needed fodder for animals is curtailed by relatively high prices attributed in large part to poor pasture production in the northern reaches of the country (in the Tahoua and Diffa regions). The cost of sustaining their livestock is depleting the resources of pastoralists and their families. Animal health conditions are good, with somewhat of a respite from problems with epizootic diseases. However, there have been recent localized outbreaks of foot and mouth disease and pasteurellosis. The vaccination campaign is moving ahead on schedule, with over 123,151 head of cattle and 9,255 small stock animals already vaccinated, according to preliminary figures from the Ministry of Animal Resources. A USAID project managed by Chemonics International Inc. Niamey, Villa n0 51 USAID/FEWS NET Niger Téléphone 227 73 41 20 Fax 227 73 41 18 quartier Terminus 5 3. Markets Prices on grain markets have been fluctuating since the end of the growing season. After a relative drop in prices with the fresh supplies of new millet brought to market, prices were pushed up again by heavy demand during the month-long fasting period. Since November, millet prices per 100 kg bag have been holding steady 12,000 CFAF in Maradi, 14,000 CFAF in Zinder, and just over 15,000 CFAF in Tillabery. Prices increased in Dosso, from about 12,500 CFAF to 14,000 CFAF. This has maintained despite the slackening of demand with the end of Ramadan and the relative availability of domestic or imported millet at domestic markets, grain banks and the household level. (Figure 2a). A comparison of millet prices for this time of year shows 2003 prices up by 86 percent, 23 percent and 7 percent from 1999, 2001 and 2002 respectively (Figure 2b).