Household food security remains normal

Poor households continue to live in Minimal (IPC Phase 1) levels of food insecurity, thanks to stable food prices as compared to the five year average as well as good food stocks on the markets.  Income generated through both agriculture and non-agricultural labor, including gold mining is at average levels, while the terms of trade livestock/ cereals are favorable for food purchasing. 

Early rains have been recorded in places around the country, easing the difficulties with watering animals who have reached the end of the normal pastoral lean season. The presence of household forage stocks and the availability of cash crop harvest residue on the markets at average price levels compared to the last five years allows for the mitigation of effects of the  lean season. 

In anticipation of a normal agricultural season, the government has set a cereal production goal of 4,700,000 tons.  This estimation, which is realistic, but slightly higher than the five year average.  To support this production the government plans to provide average levels of input assistance to farmers including 16,000 tons of fertilizers, 4,000 tons of improved seeds, and farm equipment.