Green harvests improve household food security country-wide

Green harvests, especially beans, are replenishing household stocks, alleviating high dependence on markets. Overall seasonal harvest prospects are near normal. Labor opportunities and wages are following seasonal trends, mostly involving harvest and post-harvest handling through February. Dry harvests of maize are expected to be complete in January/February.  Household food security will therefore improve to Minimal (IPC Phase 1) from January to March 2015.

Bean prices declined in almost all markets from October to November due to unusually high import volumes. Price levels are currently between 20 to 40 percent lower than last year in most markets. Bean prices are expected to decline further as harvests begin in January.  

Cassava Brown Streak Disease damaged cassava crops in the southern districts of Ruhango, Kamonyi and Muhanga, and also in Bugesera in the east. Measures against the disease normally involve uprooting the affected crops. Significant crop damage is likely to impact agricultural labor opportunities for the poor in these areas, as cassava is generally cultivated by better-off households.