Green harvest increases household food availability

Minimal (IPC Phase 1) acute food insecurity outcomes are expected to continue in most parts of the country as the lean season comes to an end, except in the extreme southwest and southeast where areas will remain Stressed (IPC Phase 2) in March due to diminishing purchase power. Good seasonal rainfall has improved crop and livestock conditions and households have started accessing green foods. The availability of the green harvest marks the end of the seasonal lean period.  With the improved food availability at the household level, Minimal (IPC Phase 1) outcomes are projected for the April to September period throughout the country. 

Green foods currently available include green maize, pumpkins, fresh groundnuts and seasonal vegetables. Households are supplementing these foods with market purchases. Green foods are also being sold along with fish, small livestock, mushrooms, and wild fruits to generate income. Crops are in good condition and mostly at the grain filling or fruit formation stage. As green maize is harvested, there have been isolated reports of fall armyworm presence on cobs. Harvest prospects remain good with expectations for no less than an average maize production season.

In general, there are adequate maize stocks in country from the 2015/16 harvest and carryover stocks to meet demand up to the end of the current marketing season in April and beyond. Despite the large amount of in country maize stocks and the continued maize export ban, retail maize and meal prices remain 60 percent above the recent five-year average. In April, maize prices typically begin to decrease as food supplies from the green and main harvests enter the market and demand for food purchases declines. By June, maize prices are expected to remain above the five-year average, but will fall to levels below last season.