SPECIAL REPORT
FAO/WFP CROP AND FOOD SUPPLY
ASSESSMENT MISSION TO PAKISTAN
11 July 2001
Mission Highlights
-
Prolonged and progressively extending drought in
parts of Pakistan has decimated livestock, and
severely affected fruit and rainfed cereal
production.
-
Balochistan, parts of Sindh and Cholistan in Punjab,
in their third consecutive year of drought, have
taken the brunt of the damage with livestock numbers
in some districts reduced by up to 60 percent of
their 1999 levels.
-
Fruit farmers in parts of Balochistan Province face
financial ruin as large numbers of fruit trees have
virtually dried up and the rest rendered
unproductive by severe water shortages.
-
Rainfed (Barani) wheat production is about 70
percent below the average of the previous five years
and 62 percent below last year's reduced crop.
-
Total wheat production is estimated at about 18.7
million tonnes, 11 percent down on 2000, while rice
production is forecast at 3.9 million tonnes, some
24 percent below last year.
-
Large cereal stocks from last year's bumper crop are
anticipated to cover this year's shortfall in cereal
production. However, wheat imports may be necessary
to replenish cereal stocks.
-
Government interventions to mitigate the effects of
the drought have so far been effective in averting
large-scale human suffering. However, some 349 000
drought-affected people comprising farmers who lost
the bulk of their fruit trees, pastoralists and
landless rural households, are of particular concern
and require emergency assistance.
-
Urgent assistance is also required to mitigate the
severe water shortages in parts and to provide feed
and vaccines for livestock and seeds for the next
cropping season.
|
1.
OVERVIEW
As part of a wider regional weather phenomenon which
has affected a number of countries in South Asia and the
Near East, a prolonged drought has seriously affected crop
and livestock production in Pakistan. Last year,
Balochistan and parts of Sindh and Cholistan in Punjab
Province were particularly affected with serious
consequences on the food security of a large segment of
the population. The Government's extensive efforts to
reduce the effects of the drought by providing extra
resources for food and feed rations, water and veterinary
supplies have helped avert a humanitarian disaster, so
far. However, continued extended drought conditions in the
first half of this year have increased the scale and
severity of the problem raising humanitarian concerns that
require urgent attention.
Against this background an FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply
Assessment Mission, funded by UNDP, was fielded to the
country from 23 May to 18 June 2001 to assess the impact
of the drought and review agricultural and food supply
prospects for the current marketing year. The Mission's
findings are based on discussions with Federal, Provincial
and District Authorities, UN agencies and NGOs based in
the country, and field visits to all the provinces,
particularly extensively in the drought affected Provinces
of Balochistan, Sindh and Cholistan in Punjab.
The Mission found that rainfall, essential for both
rainfed and irrigated food production, was between 50 and
80 percent below normal in most parts of the country
during the last winter cropping season (January-March).
Last year's Monsoon rainfall (July-September) was also
more than 40 percent below normal. Consequently, rainfed
agriculture and vegetation in the grazing lands were
severely affected. Rainfed wheat production, estimated at
about 541 000 tonnes this year, is nearly 70 percent below
the average of the last five years and 62 percent below
last year's reduced crop. However, as more than 90 percent
of wheat production is irrigated, the overall impact of
the drought is not great, though still significant. As of
mid-June, latest total wheat estimates were put at about
18.7 million tonnes, 11 percent lower than last year's
bumper crop. The 2001 rice crop, planted from May, is
forecast at a reduced 3.9 million tonnes due to water
shortages in irrigation schemes, compared to last year's
bumper 5.2 million tonnes and the average of 4.5 million
tonnes for the last five years. With additional coarse
grains crop of about 1.9 million tonnes, total cereal
production in 2001/02 is, therefore, estimated at nearly
24.6 million tonnes.
From a national perspective, overall supplies will be
just sufficient to meet the consumption requirements in
2001/02 marketing year. Domestic consumption and other
utilisation requirements are expected to be met from
current production and drawdown of large wheat stocks from
last year's good crop. Some exports of wheat due to
earlier contracts are also forecast. Rice exports are
anticipated to be lower than last year's volume of 2
million tonnes. However, the prolonged drought has
seriously eroded the food security of a large number of
farmers, particularly in Balochistan, parts of Sindh and
Cholistan in Punjab.
As a result of the prolonged drought, livestock losses
of more than 60 percent of herds were estimated in some
districts of Balochistan and Sindh. The livestock sector
plays an extremely important role in the country's
economy, providing the main source of household income for
many. In addition, vast remote pastoral areas have little
or no access to alternative food sources and animals play
a vital role in household food security, providing
essential nutritional needs through meat and milk.
Available estimates indicate that, for the country as a
whole, animals provide around 20 kg of meat and nearly 160
kg of milk products per caput annually. The dietary
contributions in the agro-pastoral regions is estimated to
be much larger. Large losses, therefore, will have a
direct and severe impact on household food security,
especially for those in remote areas.
Distress sales of livestock have saturated the markets,
specially in the second half of last year, leading to a
sharp drop in prices. For instance, average price of a
sheep have tumbled by nearly 90 percent from Rupees 2 400
in November 1999 to Rupees 285 in November 2000 in Pishin
district in Balochistan. Similar drops have been observed
in almost all parts of Balochistan and parts of Sindh.
Prices have since recovered in Balochistan due to the
sharp decline in livestock population and some hopes that
resulted from scattered rains in March and April 2001, but
have yet to reach their levels before the drought. In
parts of Sindh, however, prices are still depressed
reflecting expectations of continued drought and sharp
falls in disposable income.
Fruit farms have also been severely affected with
irreversible damage in large tracts of land, particularly
in northern parts of Balochistan. Farmers face financial
ruin as large numbers of trees have virtually dried up
and/or been rendered unproductive due to severe water
shortages. With ground water levels already very low and
receding at an alarming rate, the recovery and
continuation of fruit farms may have been compromised in
these areas. Medium to long-term strategies to adjust to
these emerging circumstances may be warranted.
Furthermore, the purchasing power of a large number of
unskilled labourers in the drought-affected areas has been
seriously eroded. Wage rates fell sharply, in some cases
by more than one-half of their 1999 levels, due to the
increased number of the unemployed following diminished
opportunities within and outside agriculture. The Mission
estimates that some 349 000 drought affected people,
comprising smallholders, pastoralists, and landless rural
households, particularly in parts of Balochistan, Sindh
and Cholistan in Punjab, will require emergency assistance
until next harvest in April 2002.
Prospects for the 2001 monsoon season, which has just
started, are favourable with near-normal rainfall forecast
over most of the monsoon receiving zones. In areas that
fall outside the monsoon belt, mainly in Balochistan and
parts of Sindh, a respite, if any, is not expected until
the start of the winter season towards the end of the
year. Overall, however, easing of the effects of the
prolonged drought conditions and replenishment of
ground-water levels will require several good rainfall
seasons.
To revive production capacity for the next winter
season, emergency support to the agriculture sector should
include the provision of seed, recovery packages in the
fruit sector, particularly to those farmers who lost their
fruit trees; the provision of fodder and concentrate feed
to meet extra feed requirements and mineral-vitamin blocks
to balance livestock rations; the provision of vaccines to
cover possible outbreaks of stress-induced diseases with a
training package for vaccinators; and, finally, the
provision of credit facilities to assist farmers in
accessing the inputs and support services.
2.
RECENT ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE1
Pakistan is endowed with a land area of about 0.8
million square kilometres. The country experiences extreme
temperatures, ranging from +50 degrees centigrade or more
in the desert parts of Sindh and Balochistan to -50
degrees centigrade in winter on the northern mountain
ranges. The population, estimated at 140.5 million at the
beginning 2001, is overwhelmingly rural. The population
growth rate fell to an estimated 2.1 percent this year
from 2.4 percent in 1998 and 3.1 percent in 1972-81.
Today, Pakistan is the seventh most populous country in
the world.
Growth of the country's GDP slowed in the 1990s to an
annual average of 5 percent in the first half and 4
percent in the second half from an average rate of 6
percent in the 1980s. Growth performance during 2000/01
was adversely affected by the worst drought in decades and
also by falling export commodity prices, and the
persistence of high oil prices on the international
market. Real GDP growth in 2000/01 is estimated at 2.6
percent compared to 3.9 percent last year. Agriculture
accounts for a large share in GDP, contributing about 25
percent in 1999/2000. It employs about 44 percent of the
labour force and supports about 75 percent of the
population. The total cultivable area was estimated at
31.1 million hectares last year, which is about 38 percent
of the total area, mainly concentrated in the Indus plain.
In 1999/2000, the total cultivated area was estimated at
almost 22 million hectares, or 70 percent of the
cultivable area, consisting of 21.3 million hectares of
annual crops and about 0.7 million hectares of permanent
crops.
Over the last decade, agriculture grew at an average
annual rate of 4.5 percent with some fluctuation in growth
mainly on account of weather conditions. Agricultural
growth has, however, suffered a severe setback during
2000/01 due to the unprecedented drought situation and
shortage of irrigation water, causing a decline of 2.5
percent as against an impressive growth of 6.1 percent
last year. According to the calorie-based poverty
definition (headcount ratio), the incidence of poverty,
which declined sharply from 46.5 percent in 1970 to 17.3
percent in 1988 has increased significantly in the 1990s,
rising from 17.3 percent in 1988 to 31 percent in 1997.
Recent estimates suggest that poverty has further
increased to 33.5 percent in 2000.
Inflation, as measured by the changes in the Consumer
Price Index (CPI), averaged 9.7 percent per annum during
the 1990s, with 11.5 percent in the first half (1990-95)
and 7.9 percent in the second half (1996-2000). During the
first ten months (July-April) of the current fiscal year,
CPI is estimated at 4.7 as against 3.4 percent in the
comparable period of last year. Food and non-food
inflation generally followed the overall inflationary
trends. Food prices increased at a rate of 4.1 percent as
against a 2.0 percent rise in the same period last year.
The comparatively higher increase in the current fiscal
year may be attributed primarily to an increase in the
government administered prices such as oil price hike,
upward adjustment of gas and electricity tariffs, and
increase in the prices of food items such as sugar, milk,
pulses and tea. The pressure on Pakistan's currency, the
rupee, also mounted due largely to heavy demand for US
dollars to clear up foreign repayment obligations and oil
import bills. From the beginning of the current fiscal
year, the rupee has depreciated by about 20 percent, from
Rs52.5/US dollar in July 2000 to Rs63.9/Us dollar in May
2001.
The growth pattern of exports in the 1990s exhibited a
fluctuating trend - expanding by as much as 23.8 percent
in 1990/91 and contracting by 9.8 percent in 1998/99.
Exports rebounded in 1999/2000, rising by about 10
percent. The sharp fluctuation in exports growth is mainly
attributed to the concentration of exports in few items
and in few markets. Five categories of goods, cotton yarn,
garments, cotton cloth, raw cotton and rice account for
over 60 percent of export earnings. Import trends have
also seen large fluctuations in the 1990s, expanding by as
much as 21.4 percent in 1991/92, mainly due to huge
imports of machinery and wheat and falling sharply by as
much as 14.9 percent in 1997/98. The contraction was due
to the effective demand management policies pursued to
restore macroeconomic stability which compressed import
demand. A further decline of about 6.8 percent was
recorded in 1998/99 due to import restriction measures.
Imports rebounded by about 9.3 percent in 1999/2000 mainly
as a result of sharp surges in the prices of crude oil and
petroleum products.
3.
FOOD PRODUCTION, 2000/01
3.1 Rainfall
During 2000/01, drought conditions that have prevailed
in parts of Pakistan since 1999 extended further, covering
almost all provinces, making it the worst prolonged
drought on record. In parts of Balochistan, Sindh and
Punjab the drought has prevailed for more than three
years. In the last winter cropping season (January-March)
precipitation generally halved compared to the long-term
average. In Balochistan, the worst affected province,
winter rains compared to long term average were down by 63
percent. As most parts of the Province do not receive
monsoon rains, a respite is only likely towards the end of
the year.
Despite the favourable forecast for the summer (Kharif)
cropping season in monsoon rains receiving areas,
preliminary meteorological forecast indicates that
availability of irrigation water will decline by 55 to 65
percent during the early part of Kharif season (April to
June) and 16 to 26 percent in the latter part of the
season (July to September) due to the cumulative effects
of low rainfall seasons, including the main monsoon
season.
3.2 Agricultural Production
Agricultural production during 2000/01 as compared to
previous years is shown in Table 1. In the last six years,
both total area sown and its distribution among crops
varied slightly while output of major crops has been
erratic due, mainly, to the drought conditions that
prevailed over the last three years.
Crops
|
1995/96
|
1996/97
|
1997/98
|
1998/99
|
1999/00
|
2000/01
|
TOTAL AREA SOWN
|
22 590
|
22 730
|
23 040
|
22 860
|
22 760
|
22 760
|
Percent of cropped area to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Foodgrains
|
55
|
53
|
55
|
55
|
56
|
55
|
- Cash crops
|
18
|
18
|
17
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
- Others
|
27
|
29
|
28
|
27
|
26
|
27
|
TOTAL CEREALS 1/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Area
|
12 473
|
12 112
|
12 617
|
12 598
|
12 734
|
12 184
|
- Production
|
22 968
|
22 960
|
25 161
|
24 774
|
28 380
|
24 581
|
WHEAT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Area
|
8 376
|
8 109
|
8 355
|
8 230
|
8 463
|
8 430
|
- Production
|
16 907
|
16 630
|
18 694
|
17 857
|
21 079
|
18 735
|
RICE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Area
|
2 162
|
2 251
|
2 317
|
2 424
|
2 515
|
2 060
|
- Production
|
3 966
|
4 305
|
4 333
|
4 673
|
5 155
|
3 900
|
COTTON
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Area
|
2 997
|
3 149
|
2 959
|
2 923
|
2 983
|
2 560
|
- Production (`000 bales)
|
10 595
|
9 374
|
9 184
|
8 790
|
10 600
|
9 700
|
SUGAR CANE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Area
|
963
|
964
|
1 056
|
1 155
|
1 010
|
860
|
- Production
|
45 229
|
41 998
|
53 104
|
55 191
|
44 000
|
35 000
|
FRUIT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Area
|
622
|
629
|
640
|
646
|
657
|
596
|
- Production
|
6 091
|
6 187
|
6 295
|
6 345
|
5 846
|
5 564
|
FODDER CROPS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Area
|
2 715
|
2 651
|
2 680
|
2 646
|
2 556
|
1 917
|
- Production
|
60 383
|
60 518
|
61 300
|
60 500
|
58 414
|
43 810
|
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Meat (beef, mutton, poultry)
|
588
|
602
|
617
|
633
|
649
|
510
|
- Milk ('000 litres)
|
28 577
|
29 930
|
30 126
|
30 948
|
31 804
|
24 976
|
- Eggs (millions)
|
5 927
|
5 757
|
6 015
|
8 261
|
8 464
|
6 660
|
Source: Ministry of Food, Agriculture and
Livestock ,Agricultural statistics of Pakistan,
1999-00.
1/ Includes minor cereals such as sorghum,
millet, maize and barley.
|
The 2000/01 forecast of cereal production compared to
last year is summarised in Table 2, indicating an overall
decline of about 13 percent against last year production.
Cereals
|
Average
1995/96-1999/00
|
1999/00
|
2000/01
|
Percentage change 2000/01 on 1999/00
|
Wheat
|
18 238
|
21 079
|
18 7351
|
- 11
|
Rice (milled)
|
4 487
|
5 155
|
3 9002
|
- 24
|
Maize
|
1 565
|
1 652
|
1 4892
|
- 10
|
Others
|
559
|
494
|
4572
|
- 8
|
Total
|
24 849
|
28 380
|
24 581
|
- 13
|
1/ Revised Government estimates
2/ Mission forecast based on area planted and
discussions with agricultural officials indicate an
output of about 3.9 million tonnes.
Coarse grains are also computed by the mission based
on discussions and field observations.
|
Amongst the major food crops, wheat production is
estimated at 18.7 million tonnes against 21.1 million last
year, showing a decline of 11 percent. This year's rice
production is forecast to decline by 24 percent to 3.9
million tonnes against last year's crop of about 5.2
million tonnes. Initial target for rice was about 4.2
million tonnes. However, irrigation water shortages that
have affected early planting in the main producing areas
of Punjab and Sindh have prompted a downward revision.
Cereal
|
Total
Pakistan
|
Punjab
|
Sindh
|
NWFP
|
Balochistan
|
Wheat
|
|
|
|
|
|
5-year average
|
18 238
|
13 660
|
2 625
|
1 183
|
770
|
Irrigated
|
16 598
|
12 670
|
2 544
|
685
|
699
|
Rainfed
|
1 640
|
990
|
81
|
498
|
71
|
2000/01
|
18 735
|
15 500
|
2 005
|
730
|
500
|
Irrigated
|
18 194
|
15 130
|
1 982
|
600
|
482
|
Rainfed
|
541
|
370
|
23
|
130
|
18
|
Rice
|
|
|
|
|
|
5-year average
|
4 487
|
2 054
|
1 911
|
127
|
395
|
2000/2001
|
3 900
|
1 785
|
1 660
|
110
|
345
|
Maize
|
|
|
|
|
|
5-year average
|
1 565
|
738
|
5
|
818
|
4
|
2000/01
|
1 489
|
700
|
5
|
780
|
4
|
Other cereals **
|
|
|
|
|
|
5-year average
|
559
|
313
|
103
|
66
|
77
|
2000/01
|
457
|
290
|
80
|
50
|
37
|
All cereals
|
|
|
|
|
|
5-year average
|
24 849
|
16 766
|
4 643
|
2 194
|
1 245
|
Percent share
|
100
|
67
|
19
|
9
|
5
|
2000/01
|
24 581
|
18 275
|
3 750
|
1 670
|
886
|
Percent share
|
100
|
74
|
15
|
7
|
4
|
Percent change 2000/01 to average
|
-1
|
+9
|
-19
|
-24
|
-29
|
Source : Agricultural statistics of Pakistan,
1999-00, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock
* Estimates for 2000/2001 based on revised
forecasts, discussions with agricultural officials
and field visits.
** Other cereals include sorghum, millet and barley.
|
As indicated in the above tables,
production estimates of other minor cereals (maize,
sorghum, millet and barley) were also reduced by the
drought in 2000/2001 compared to both last year and the
previous five year's average.
3.3 Fruit production
Fruit production includes citrus, apples, apricots,
almonds and mangoes among others. Total production for
last five years averaged 6.2 million tonnes annually,
including 2 million tonnes of citrus, 900 000 tonnes of
mangoes and about 532 000 tonnes of apples. While the
figures for 2000/01 are not yet available, it is estimated
that apple production was reduced by at least 50 percent
due to drought. Fruit farmers, particularly in parts of
northern Balochistan are facing financial ruin as large
numbers of trees have dried up and are being cut as
firewood. With ground water levels already very low and
receding at an alarming rate, the recovery and
continuation of fruit farms may have been compromised in
these areas. Medium to long-term strategies to adjust to
these emerging circumstances may be warranted.
3.4 Vegetables
Total vegetables production over the last five years
averaged 4.3 million tonnes, but in 2000/01 output was
reduced by between 6 and 10 percent. Compared to last
year's production, onion output was reduced by 9.2 percent
and potato by 7.6 percent. Chilli, however, increased by
42 percent, while mung bean and mash beans increased by 10
percent and 8 percent respectively.
3.5 Livestock production
Livestock production plays important roles both in
contributing to the national economy and livelihood for a
large number of people living in rural and urban areas in
all provinces. In normal years, livestock production
contributes nearly 9 percent to GDP, about 37 percent to
the agriculture sector output and about 10 percent of
total export earnings of the country. Available estimates
indicate that, for the country as a whole, animals provide
around 20 kg of meat and nearly 160 kg of milk products
per caput annually. The dietary contributions in the
agro-pastoral regions is much larger. In addition, vast
remote pastoral areas have little or no access to
alternative food sources and animals play a vital role in
household food security, providing essential nutritional
needs through meat and milk. Large losses, therefore, will
have direct and severe impact on household food security,
especially for those in remote and inaccessible areas.
Total livestock population, including cattle, buffalo,
sheep, goats, camels, horses, asses and mules, is
estimated at 55 million heads. About 23 million or nearly
42 percent are found in Balochistan province, while NWFP
hosts 15 million, Punjab 12 million and Sindh nearly 5
million. Out of these it is estimated that the drought has
affected about 43 percent in Punjab, 40 percent in
Balochistan and NWFP, and 66 percent in Sindh. Table 3
summarises the livestock situation nation-wide and at the
provincial level. The cumulative loss, in the last three
drought years, is estimated at 43 percent of the country's
livestock population. Heavy direct losses due to animal
mortality, production losses and distress sales of animals
have been widely reported.
|
Pakistan
|
Punjab
|
Sindh
|
NWFP
|
Balochistan
|
Total livestock
|
54.91
|
11.89
|
4.67
|
15.05
|
23.30
|
Livestock affected
|
23.53
|
5.12
|
3.08
|
6
|
9.32
|
Percent of total
|
43
|
43
|
66
|
40
|
40
|
Livestock losses (in million rupees)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct
|
1 332
|
329
|
161
|
366
|
476
|
Production
|
13 843
|
5 266
|
1 471
|
4 060
|
3 046
|
Total
|
15 175
|
5 595
|
1 632
|
4 426
|
3 522
|
Percent
|
100
|
37
|
11
|
29
|
23
|
3.6 Emergency Support Required to the
Agriculture Sector
From the above, the following emergency measures
warrant serious consideration:
-
water supply, both for humans and livestock, is most
urgent, including the rehabilitation of the traditional
community based water management system of using karezes;
-
as household carryover seed stocks will be negligible,
appropriate seeds of cereals are likely to be needed for
the winter planting season;
-
animal feed stocks need to be boosted and made
accessible to farmers.
Details of rehabilitation needs, associated costs and
other measures required, including the establishment of an
Early Warning System, will be issued in a separate report
by FAO's Special Relief Operations Service.
3.7 Early Prospects for Current Summer (Monsoon)
Season Production
Although any projections for the monsoon 2001 season
crops, being planted, are tentative, projections of
favourable rainfall should assist some recovery. Early
forecasts from the Department of Meteorology indicate
normal to above-normal rains for most monsoon rainfall
receiving areas. However, water shortages have already
compromised land allocations under rice prompting downward
revisions of paddy production. Furthermore, for areas that
fall outside the monsoon belt, mainly in Balochistan and
parts of Sindh, a respite, if any, is not expected until
the start of the winter season towards the end of the
year. Overall, however, easing of the effects of the
prolonged drought conditions and replenishment of
ground-water levels will require several good rainfall
seasons.
4.
FOOD SUPPLY SITUATION
4.1 Government Measures in Response to the
Drought
In response to the severity of the drought this year,
the Government has undertaken a number of emergency
measures including:
-
cash support of Rs 2 000 per household provided to 1.2
million most poor and vulnerable households, costing Rs
2.5 billion;
-
provision of financial support to 2.5 million poorest
households through the disbursement of Zakat money,
amounting to Rs 2 billion;
-
launching of the micro-credit (Kushali) Bank in all four
provinces to help improve poor people's access to
credit;
-
initiation of small public works in rural areas and
small towns to provide employment opportunities and
improve infrastructures in these areas;
-
increased public awareness about water use and
conservation and better allocation of water resources;
-
changing cropping patterns from high delta to low delta
crops including a ban on planting rice in certain areas
of Sindh;
-
promotion of efficient cultivation methods;
-
improvement of some 8 000 watercourses;
-
assisting farmers in installing skimming tube-wells in
each province;
-
provision of sprinkler and drip irrigation systems for
demonstration purposes and construction of small dams in
rainfed areas.
During 1999/2000, the Government also distributed more
than 400 000 acres of agricultural land to about 54 000
landless families in the four provinces. Land distribution
to poor families was also launched in the drought affected
Tharparker area of Sindh Province.
4.2 Cereal Imports and Exports
Imports of food commodities, notably edible oils, sugar
and grains, play a prominent role in Pakistan's total food
supply. Grain imports consist predominantly of wheat.
Traditionally, Pakistan is a net importer of wheat and in
the late 1990s, imports of wheat were expanding, peaking
at more than 4 million tonnes in 1997/98 (Figure 1). It is
estimated that these imports cover from 10 to 20 percent
of national consumption needs. In 2000/01, however, a
record wheat crop, estimated at about at about 21 million
tonnes more than satisfied domestic requirements and hence
there were no imports.2
In 2001/02, officials maintain that there will not be any
need for wheat imports, despite the 11 percent drop in
output, due to the large stocks available.
Although wheat exports are generally disallowed, some
unrecorded quantities move into Afghanistan. This year the
Government has approved wheat sales for export to
Afghanistan to regularise these shipments. Total wheat
exports already committed to Afghanistan and other
destinations, some of which have already been shipped, are
estimated at about 500 000 tonnes.
Pakistan is a major rice exporter and all trade is done
by the private sector. Major export destinations include
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and countries in the
Middle East. In the 1990s amounts of rice exports varied
from a low of about one million tonnes in 1993/94 to a
high of above 2 million tonnes in 1997/98 and 2000/01.
During 2001/02, exports are expected to contract due to
the forecast fall in production.
4.3 Current Market Situation
In Pakistan, the wheat and rice markets, among others,
are regulated to provide price stability to producers,
consumers and traders. Procurement prices are fixed
annually by the Government on the recommendation of the
Agricultural Prices Commission. The procurement price is
usually announced before the crop is sown. This is a price
received by the farmers and private traders who sell their
produce to the Government procurement centres. The
procurement prices act as a floor price below which the
free market prices may not fall.
Year
|
Wheat
|
Rice (Basmati Paddy)
|
Support Price
|
Market Price
|
Support Price
|
Market Price
|
1996/97
|
240
|
273
|
255
|
296
|
1997/98
|
240
|
259
|
310
|
297
|
1998/99
|
240
|
261
|
330
|
362
|
1999/00
|
300
|
297
|
350
|
358
|
2000/01
|
300
|
315
|
385
|
390
|
Sources: Agricultural Statistics of Pakistan
1999-00; Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Economics
Vol. 4 No. 1
|
Domestic prices for flour and bread increased
significantly last year due to a 25 percent increase in
the support (procurement) price of wheat and reduction in
consumption subsidy.
As already indicated, the severe drought has had a
devastating effect on range vegetation, as well as on the
availability of feed from grain and crop residues,
especially in rainfed areas. The drastic fall in feed has
led to widespread loss in livestock. Distress sales of
livestock have saturated the markets, specially in the
second half of last year, leading to a sharp drop in
prices (Figure 2). Compared to earlier years, for
instance, average prices of sheep have tumbled by nearly
90 percent from Rupees 2 400 in November 1999 to Rupees
285 in November 2000 in Pishin district in Balochistan.
Similar drops have been recorded in almost all parts of
Balochistan and parts of Sindh. Prices have since
recovered in Balochistan due to the sharp decline in
livestock population and some hopes that resulted from
scattered rains in March and April 2001, but have yet to
reach their levels before the drought. In parts of Sindh,
however, prices are still depressed reflecting
expectations of continued drought and sharp falls in
disposable income.
Furthermore, the purchasing power of large numbers of
unskilled labourers in the drought affected areas has been
seriously eroded. Wage rates have fallen sharply, in some
cases by more than one-half of their 1999 levels, due to
the increased number of unemployed people following
diminished opportunities within and outside agriculture.
4.4 Cereal Supply/Demand Balance in 2001/02
(May/April)
The cereal balance for 2001/02 (May/April), shown in
Table 6, is based on an estimated mid-marketing year
population of 141 million and the following assumptions:
-
total cereal production in 2001/02 is estimated
at about 24.58 million tonnes, consisting of 18.7
million tonnes of wheat, 3.9 million tonnes of rice, 1.5
million tones of maize and 0.5 million tonnes of other
cereals (sorghum, millet and barley). Together with
carryover stocks, this gives a domestic availability of
28.4 million tonnes of cereals.
-
opening stocks of about 3.85 million tonnes of
cereals, consisting of about 3.55 million tonnes of
wheat, 200 000 tonnes of rice and 100 000 tonnes of
coarse grains, reflecting last year's bumper wheat crop.
-
per caput cereal consumption of 160 kg/annum,
consisting of 138 kg of wheat, 14 kg of rice, 6 kg of
maize, and 2 kg of other grains.
-
other Uses (including feed, seed and losses)
estimated at 10 percent of production for wheat and
rice. For coarse grains, however, about 820 000 tonnes,
the bulk of which is for feed, are assumed.
-
cereal exports, (including wheat commitments) are
estimated at 2.2 million tonnes.
|
Cereals
|
Wheat
|
Rice (milled)
|
Maize
|
Other
|
Domestic Availability
|
28 433
|
22 287
|
4 100
|
1 564
|
482
|
- Opening stocks
|
3 852
|
3 552
|
200
|
75
|
25
|
- Production
|
24 581
|
18 735
|
3 900
|
1 489
|
457
|
Utilization
|
28 433
|
22 287
|
4 100
|
1 564
|
482
|
- Food Use
|
22 560
|
19 458
|
1 974
|
846
|
282
|
- Other Uses (seed, feed, losses)
|
3 082
|
1 874
|
390
|
643
|
175
|
- Export*
|
2 200
|
500
|
1 700
|
0
|
0
|
- Closing Stocks
|
591
|
455
|
36
|
75
|
25
|
Import Requirement
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
* Export estimates for wheat are based on
commitments.
|
With an estimated cereal production of about 24.58
million tonnes, the country's cereal shortfall in 2001/02
(May/April) marketing year is expected to be covered by a
drawdown of large carry-over stocks from last year's
bumper crop. However, a sharp drawdown of cereal stocks as
indicated in the table, particularly for wheat, may not be
acceptable to the government and therefore some wheat
imports may be necessary to keep stocks at higher levels.
5.
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS
5.1 Government measures taken so far
While recognizing the immediate needs of the
population, the Government's drought mitigation strategy
in 2000/1 also emphasised on the implementation of medium
and long-term activities. This strategy will continue to
be the guiding principle for drought relief activities in
2001/2002. In response to the widespread drought of 2001,
the Government of Pakistan requested all provincial
authorities to undertake assessments in their respective
provinces and submit proposals for funding. Relief/Crisis
Management Centers have been established to coordinate
drought activities in all provinces. Working groups have
been constituted at the district, provincial and federal
level to assess losses caused by the drought and the worst
affected areas have been identified as calamity stricken
areas. The federal government has established an emergency
relief cell in the Cabinet Division to coordinate with the
provincial relief cells.
In 2000, the Central Government provided Rs 0.9 billion
to the Balochistan province and Rs 1 billion to the Sindh
province for the drought relief operations. The
Governments of Japan, Turkey, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab
Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria donated emergency funds
and in kind assistance to the Pakistan Government for
Balochistan and Sindh provinces.
Balochistan Province
In addition to Rs 0.9 billion received from the federal
government, the provincial government allocated Rs 0.245
billion from its own budget for drought operations in
2000. Additional donations in kind and cash were received
directly from the provincial Governments of Punjab and
NWFP and external financial support countries from such as
Japan, Turkey, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi
Arabia and Nigeria.
The relief commission was established to co-ordinate
the drought operations on behalf of the provincial
government in 2000. A parallel structure in the army, the
drought crisis control centre, was established to
co-ordinate the operations of the army and to particularly
assist with logistical operations. These two structures
regularly liase to share information and jointly plan
activities. During the relief operations of 2000,
thirty-five relief centers were established in 22
districts for the distribution of food and feed. In the
initial stages of the relief programme, eight camps were
established for families in search of food and water to
congregate. The Government policy was later changed to
encourage people to stay in their villages with food,
water and medical services to be taken to them.
In line with the Government policy, the major part of
the drought relief activities in Balochistan was
undertaken as short, medium and long-term projects. These
projects included installation and rehabilitation of water
facilities, construction of roads, improvement of
rangelands, extension of veterinary facilities, production
of stock of feed, distribution of wheat seed and soft
loans to farmers. This year, the provincial Government of
Balochistan has identified 23 districts as drought
affected areas and projects worth Rs. 4.3 billion for
drought rehabilitation for the year 2001/2002.
Sindh Province
In Sindh, drought relief activities started in
September 1999 when Thar district was designated as
calamity stricken. In 2000, the provincial authorities
provided support to four districts, as the drought became
more widespread. The provincial government waived land
tax, postponed the recovery of loans and provided
subsidised wheat at half the market price for two months
for the population in the areas designated as calamity
hit. Medical and veterinary teams were constituted to
provide treatment of humans and animals. Free fodder was
provided to livestock keeping households and tube wells
were installed to improve the drinking water supply. A
wide range of short, medium and long term measures such as
the construction of roads, installation of pipeline water
scheme, electrification and public work programmes have
been implemented. These public works projects have created
some employment opportunities for the local population and
have to some extent strengthened the ability of households
to cope with the losses in the agricultural and livestock
sectors.
This year, the Government has designated the districts
of Tharparkar, Mirpukhas and Sanghar and Kachho and
Kohistan regions of Dadu and Thatta as calamity-hit areas
and has allocated Rs 312.16 million for various relief
measures. These calamity-hit areas are exempt from water
charges and land taxes and recovery of loans have been
postponed. Additionally, the Government will provide
subsidies for 40 kg of wheat per family for three months
and as well as subsidies for fodder. The Government of
Sindh will continue to place emphasis on the medium and
long-term measures.
Punjab Province
The Punjab Government has announced a relief
package to mitigate the effects of drought in the 10 out
of 34 worst hit districts for 2001. It includes the
remission of agricultural income taxes, land taxes and
water charges, the postponement of recovery of agriculture
loans, free distribution of wheat to affected families,
medical care for livestock and improvement of water
facilities. Punjab province, which produces about 75
percent of the total national wheat production, provided
food assistance and livestock feed to Sindh and
Balochistan provinces in 2000.
NWFP
Similar to the provincial Governments of Punjab and
Sindh, the North West Frontier Province plans to waive the
agricultural income taxes, land taxes and water charges,
the postponement of recovery of agriculture loans,
distribute subsidized wheat to affected families, medical
care for livestock and improvement of water facilities for
the drought affected districts during the current year.
The emphasis of the drought mitigation activities will be
medium and long-term interventions.
5.2 WFP Programmes
The World Food Programme has been providing assistance
to Pakistan for about 29 years, principally working in
natural resources management, promoting primary education
for girls to increase their enrolment and attendance,
promoting pregnant women's attendance to health centres
for antenatal care and health and nutrition education and
emergency assistance for the Afghan refugees.
From July 2001, WFP will begin implementing a country
programme with a total value of US$8 million per annum
through three activities:
-
Promotion of girl primary education. WFP provides oil as
incentive in food insecure areas to poor families to
encourage them to send their girls to school.
-
Promotion of safe motherhood. The program is encouraging
pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics to ensure
that the mother has safe delivery and the child starts
new life with improved childcare. Tetanus shots and
nutrition and health education are included amongst the
planned services.
-
Creating Assets for Rural Women (CARW). This component
is largely community based and will create physical,
economic and social assets for women to improve their
well being. Food insecure participating households will
identify community needs, which will form the basis of
their work activity, and in return they will receive
food stamps. In Tharpkar in Sindh province, WFP plans to
implement the CARW to improve drinking water supply in
partnership with NGOS.
In addition to the three development activities, WFP is
currently implementing an Emergency Operations, which is
providing emergency food assistance to about 65 000
recently arrived Afghan refugees in NWFP, Pakistan
Although WFP did not have an Emergency Relief Operation
for drought, it provided a one- time assistance of 400
tonnes of wheat and 72 tonnes of oil to 105 000 drought
affected people in Balochistan and 352 tonnes of oil to
62 000 families in Sindh.
5.3 Household Coping Mechanisms
Close to one in four people or 33 million people in
Pakistan live in the Barani (or rainfed), semi-arid, dry
lands, deserts and the drought prone areas. These areas of
Balochistan, southern Sindh and parts of NWFP and Punjab
primarily depend upon rainfall for agricultural and
livestock production. These areas have received below
average rainfall in the last two years. Compared to the
irrigated areas where two or three crops are grown, the
Barani and dry areas can grow only one crop. The income
sources in these areas are less diversified and their
levels lower than the irrigated lands.
In Balochistan, the major livelihood is livestock
production as about 70 percent of households own
livestock. Three livestock production systems exist; 1)
the nomads are almost entirely dependent on livestock, 2)
the transhumant livestock population primarily depend upon
livestock but also grow rainfed crops and 3) the sedentary
population grows crops but also keep livestock and may
have access to irrigation. Each of these groups comprise
of 30-35 percent of the population. In northern
Balochistan, fruit production is also a major source of
income. In the arid areas of Sindh, livestock rearing is
the main source of income but the majority of livestock
households are sedentary and settled.
In a normal year, pastoralists sell livestock and milk
products and the incomes from these sources are used to
purchase wheat for household consumption and other
non-food needs. Livestock also provides meat, milk, and
yogurt for household consumption. It is estimated that up
to 70-80 percent of incomes of the nomadic population is
from livestock. A holding of 20 animals, although
considered small, is adequate to support the basic needs
of a family through sale of the off-take, while
maintaining the breeding stock.
During the 1999/2000-drought year, households lost
40-45 percent of their livestock. Livestock owners did not
breed their animals due to lack of water and poor pasture
conditions and therefore do not have the off-take needed
for sale. This coupled with the fewer animal holdings has
deprived households of a major source income. The worst
affected households are the smallholders who normally have
less than 20 sheep and goats but now have less than 10.
In northern Balochistan, about 60 percent of fruit
trees have dried and the remaining trees are unlikely to
survive as the water table continues to recede. The
uplands are the worst affected areas, where 60-100 percent
of the fruit trees have dried in Loralai, Killa Saifulla
and Pishin.
These upland areas in northern Balochistan also have
the largest losses of animals. In a normal year, low
income households in these areas have 10-15 fruit trees
and about 10 goats/sheep. In the past, such small holdings
provided sufficient income for food and other basic needs.
Smallholders in the upland areas with landholdings of less
than half an acre have lost all fruit trees, as they have
no access to tube well irrigation. Households are now
selling the dried trees at Rs 25 per 40 kg as firewood.
This is the last income to be earned from fruit trees that
used to generate gross revenue of about Rs 5000 per tree
every two years. Many are now planning to move to urban
centers to look for employment, which is getting scarce
due to the slowdown of the economy.
Prior to the drought, migrant labor was a good
secondary source of income for rural households during.
Households normally have male members working in nearby
urban centers and/or irrigated areas during off-farm
season for a short period. In Balochistan, off-farm season
activities have been wage employment in coal mines and
construction. The orchards provided employment to the
landless and nomadic and transhumant pastoralists.
In the Barani and desert areas of Sindh, Punjab and
NWFP, the major sources of off-season employment are the
urban centers and/or irrigated areas, particularly the big
urban centers of Karachi and the high crop producing areas
of Punjab.
In Killa Abdulla, Balochistan for example, the district
authorities estimated that 25-30 camps of nomadic
populations have settled near orchards with functioning
water sources (one camp had 30 households). The majority
of the nomadic populations in these camps arrived two
years ago but there were some new arrivals noted during
the mission. The normal migratory pattern of the nomads
appears to be disrupted. They are staying longer at one
place as many lost their livestock last year. This has led
to some social conflicts.
The three-year drought has intensified the dependence
on migrant wage labor. In all villages visited, households
mentioned sending young men outside the village to look
for employment. However, the increased supply of labor has
resulted in the decline of wage rates from Rs 100 per day
in June 2000 to about Rs 40-60 in 2001. In 1999, livestock
prices declined by 90 percent compared to 1998. Although,
livestock prices have increased in 2001 (due to improved
conditions of animals as result of the reduced stock) they
have not gone back to the 1998 prices. In Sindh, livestock
prices have continued to decline and are lower in 2001
than in 2000. Thus, the drought-affected households have
not only lost their livestock, they are also receiving
less income from the sale of their animals.
In general, the nominal price of wheat has remained
stable as the wheat price is regulated. However, a 50
percent decline in the wage rate and 90 percent reduction
in the price of livestock means that drought-affected
households are facing a significant increase in the real
price of wheat and other essential commodities. This has
severely eroded their capacity to cope.
During the last two years (and in some areas four to
six years), households have absorbed the shock through the
sale of livestock, wage employment, borrowing and the
relief measures implemented by the provincial authorities.
Now in its third year, the drought is taking a heavy toll
on the households as their coping mechanisms have almost
diminished. Moreover, hosting communities in the irrigated
areas are no longer welcoming the migrant wage earners, as
their number is exceeding the expected levels and their
length of stay has gone beyond the usual period.
Furthermore, some of the irrigated areas have received
lower than average rainfall this year and have very
limited employment opportunities and water to share. In
addition, the increased number of people in the irrigated
areas is not only a potential source of conflict but also
epidemics.
Households reported changes in food consumption dating
back to last year in Balochistan and as far back as two to
three years in Sindh. Many households reported dropping
off pulses, meat and milk from their diet. Bread and in
some cases rice have remained the major dietary
components, as they are not often able to afford other
foods. In Sindh, households reported consuming chillies,
onions and bread. Vegetables could not grow in parts of
Thar as the water is too brackish to support even
vegetable production.
The decline in consumption of important food items like
milk, meat and vegetables is a major nutrition concern for
women and children who already have high malnutrition and
anemia in these two provinces. About 42 percent of
children are malnourished, and 45 percent of pregnant and
lactating women are anemic while 10 percent of women are
severely anemic. Rural households have higher levels of
malnutrition and anemia than urban households.
Households identified the lack of water as the most severe
community problem in all the villages visited. This has
resulted in increased workload for women and children in
parts of Sindh and Balochistan. Many women are now
covering longer distances to fetch water as the
underground water sources have receded and surface sources
have dried up. In many areas, there is increased crowding
at the water sources due to fewer and lower available
water resources. The provincial authorities in Balochistan
and parts of Sindh and Punjab, reported school dropout due
to migration and in some cases the lack of food and the
need for extra income earning hands in towns. In some
areas, especially in Dadu, there is an increased reliance
on women's income earned from sale of crafts. In some
households, it is the only income as many men have been
unable to find alternative employment.
Although the forecast for the monsoon rains
(June-September) in 2001 is favourable, many of the
severely affected districts are outside the monsoon range.
These districts receive winter rains between December and
April. Improvements in pasture, water and food security
conditions are not expected until after December and
harvest is not expected until April. For districts within
the monsoon ranges, improvement in pasture conditions
could be expected in July when rains are expected.
However, even for these monsoon areas, planting of the
Kharif (summer) season is partly over. Table 7 and the map
above present the provincial governments' classification
of drought districts in the four provinces of the country.
Balochistan
|
Sindh
|
NWFP
|
Punjab
|
Severe
|
Moderate
|
Severe
|
Severe
|
Moderate
|
Severe
|
Moderate
|
Very Low
rainfall areas
Pishin
Killa Abdulla
Chagai
Kharan
|
Quetta
Kalat
Mastung
Loralai
Killa Saifulla
Panjgoor
Dera Bugti
Kohlu
Lesbella
Monsoon
rain areas
Khuzdar
Sibi
Awaran
Musakhail
Barkhan
|
Badin
Thatta
Singha
Tharparker
Umar Kot
Dadu
|
D.I Khan
L. Marwat
Karak
Swabi
|
Bannu
Chitral
Shangla
Low Dir
Buner
Haripur
|
Miawali
Attock
D.G. Khan
Chakwal
Jhelum
Rawapindi
Gujrat
Bhakkar
Cholistan
|
B/walpur
Khushab
Sheikupura
|
4
|
14
|
6
|
|
4
|
6
|
10
|
4
|
5.4 Emergency Food Aid Requirements in 2000/01
Except for the Punjab province, Sindh, Balochistan and
NWFP governments plan to provide subsidized wheat at half
the market price for three months during summer. The
provision of subsidized wheat will enable the majority of
the population to buy wheat at a lower price but the
poorer households have very limited income to buy wheat
over a long period especially after the three month
subsidy programme ends. Targeted food assistance will be
required to the most vulnerable households that have lost
livestock, fruit trees and the landless living in the
worst affected non-monsoon areas of Balochistan and Sindh
where the drought has persisted for the last three to four
years for the following reasons
-
Extreme low prices of animals and fewer animals and/or
loss of fruit trees have eroded households' purchasing
power;
-
Significant decline in wages and saturated labour
markets have further reduced the ability of households
to cope with income losses,
-
Lower price of livestock and wage rates mean high wheat
price in real terms (even though nominal wheat price
have been stable),
-
Even if normal rains were to return during winter,
households in the non-monsoon areas would be able to
harvest crops only in April 2002. For orchard owners,
the recovery will take longer as they have lost trees
and will have to grow other crops.
-
For households with livestock, breeding may have to be
forgone again due to the continued lack of pasture and
water in these areas and therefore improvements in herd
size may not occur for another 18 months.
Although 45 districts have been identified as drought
affected by Government, the mission recommends assistance
to the upland areas of Pishin and Killa Saifulla and
Kharan and Chagai in Balochistan and in Sindh, to
vulnerable households in Dadu, Badin and Thatta. Even
though Tharpakar has been designated as calamity hit area,
the Mission takes note of the large presence of NGOs there
that are already providing assistance compared to other
affected districts. Therefore, it is has not been included
as a district to receive food assistance. In addition, WFP
will be implementing Food for Work under its Creation of
Assets for Rural Women (CARW) activity from July 2001,
which will provide food stamps to vulnerable households
participating in the programme.
The Mission held discussions with key informants at
community level to identify the most vulnerable groups and
estimate their numbers. Based on these discussions, the
Mission estimates that 5-10 percent of households are the
"tail end" poor and another 15-20 percent are poor
households. The tail end poor primarily includes the
landless that earn their living through provision of
labour as livestock herders, and/or in the orchards but
now have lost their usual employment due to drying of
orchards and/or reduced numbers of livestock holdings. The
15-20 percent households comprise of the following types
of households that would not be able to meet their food
needs even with the current government programme in place:
-
Smallholders in the upland areas of northern Balochistan
with less than half of an acre of fruit trees, have lost
more than 60% of fruit trees, have no livestock and no
access to migrant work;
-
Pastoralists (nomadic and transhumant) that have lost 50
percent of more of livestock and now have less than 5
sheep/goat, and no access to migrant work
-
Vulnerable Afghan refugee households in non-monsoon
ranges with no access to migrant work in the orchards.
Refugee households face similar problems as host
communities but their problems become even more
accentuated as their coping mechanism are more limited
compared to the hosting populations.
In Sindh, the provincial government has identified the
villages worst affected and estimated the population
living in the worst affected villages. The estimated
number of targeted population that is being recommended
for food assistance is based upon the population figures
provided by the Government and the key informants'
estimates of the most vulnerable population.
Table 8 shows the estimated number of people requiring
assistance by district and the total amount of food
required for the period October 2001 to March 2002. In
Pishin and Killa Saifulla, the uplands, which comprise
about 70 percent of the population, are the targeted
areas. In Sindh, the areas to be targeted are Dadu, Thatta
and Badin districts where 20 percent of the population in
the villages identified as calamity stricken by government
authorities will be targeted.
Province/District
|
Population
|
Rural Population
|
Popn living in the severely affected areas
|
Percent Popn in need of assistance
|
Number of Targeted Population
|
Wheat in MT For
6 months
|
Wheat Soya Blend In Mt
|
Pulses In Mt
|
Oil in Mt
|
Balochistan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chagai
|
218 265
|
179 755
|
179 755
|
0.3
|
54 000
|
2 916
|
54
|
292
|
292
|
Kharan
|
209 995
|
182 278
|
182 278
|
0.3
|
55 000
|
2 970
|
55
|
292
|
292
|
Pishin
|
407 857
|
385 046
|
269 532
|
0.2
|
54 000
|
2 916
|
54
|
292
|
292
|
K. Saifulla
|
184 688
|
162 258
|
113 580
|
0.2
|
23 000
|
1 242
|
23
|
124
|
124
|
Vulnerable refugee*
|
|
|
|
|
6 000
|
324
|
6
|
32
|
32
|
Subtotal
|
1 020 805
|
909 337
|
745 145
|
|
192 000
|
10 368
|
192
|
1 032
|
1 032
|
Sindh
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dadu
|
1 850 585
|
1 458 739
|
260 000
|
0.2
|
52 000
|
2 808
|
52
|
281
|
281
|
Thatta
|
1 169 576
|
1 038 930
|
300 000
|
0.2
|
60 000
|
3 240
|
60
|
324
|
324
|
Badin
|
1 165 889
|
972 800
|
227 146
|
0.2
|
45 000
|
2 430
|
45
|
243
|
243
|
Subtotal
|
4 186 050
|
3 470 469
|
787 146
|
|
157 000
|
8 478
|
157
|
848
|
848
|
Total Target population
|
5 206 855
|
4 379 806
|
1 532 291
|
|
349 000
|
18 846
|
349
|
1 880
|
1 880
|
*UNHCR (Balochistan) estimate
|
5.5 Nutrition Considerations
The Mission recommends targeted food assistance to be
provided to 349 000 people (58 000 households) consisting
of 300g of wheat flour, 30 g of pulses and 30 g of vitamin
A fortified oil per day. This will provide about 1400
Kcalories per day or 67 percent of the daily energy
requirements. A partial ration is recommended to prevent
total dependence on food aid. Moreover, households will
need additional foods, such as vegetables and dairy
products, to ensure an adequate diet. Food aid will free
up the limited household income to enable purchasing
additional foods that are currently missing from the diet
and will reduce their debt. It is further recommended that
100 g of fortified Wheat Soya Blend be provided to
targeted households with children of less than five years
of age and pregnant women to prevent further deterioration
of an already existing poor nutritional status of women
and children.
This report is prepared on the responsibility of the
FAO and WFP Secretariats with information from
official and unofficial sources. Since conditions
may change rapidly, please contact the undersigned
for further information if required.
|
Abdur Rashid
Chief, GIEWS FAO
Fax: 0039-06-5705-4495
E-mail:
GIEWS1@FAO.ORG
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