State of Somaliland Crop Production Assessment Mission using the PET Approach and Manual

Download the full report here   (UN FAO approved version)

Mission Highlights:

• The cereal harvest for the North-West Agro-Pastoralist zone of Somaliland completed in November 2011 is estimated at 66,451 tonnes comprising 60,997 tonnes of gu-karan sorghum grain and 5,454 tonnes of karan maize grain.

• The estimated level of domestic cereal production is similar to last year's UN (WFP/FAO) estimate, with an average sorghum yield estimated at 1.79 tonnes/ha, similar to levels of production noted in the NWAP zone in the early 1980s, significantly more than recent MoA estimates.

• For completeness of understanding of North West Agro Pastoral (NWAP) zone domestic production, a further 650 tonnes of maize harvested at the end of the gu season 2011 (August) as assessed by FSNAU, should be added to the total to complete the NWAP domestic production assessment of the year estimated at 67,101 tonnes.

• In 92 village assessed in the NW Ag-Pastoralist Zone, 5 villages will have produced no or next to no cereals, 3 villages will be in cereal deficit unless they have stocks un-noted by the Mission; and five will be in balance. The remaining 79 villages will have surplus production for storage or sale.

• The village level synopsis does not preclude hh in deficit.
  

• In 2010/2011, 275,277 tonnes of commercial cereal imports (grain equivalent) were recorded through Berbera and Togwajaale, of which 22,781 tonnes were re-exported through Togwaajale from January to October 2011.

• If the same level of export is sustained, cereal imports in grain equivalents of 232,344 tonnes will be required to meet domestic and re-export demands in the state.

• The marketing year 2011/12 import requirement is within Somaliland's commercial cereal importing capacity, if export livestock income remains firm and remittances are sustained.

• Livestock condition is currently excellent in the NWAP, with breeding stock numbers sustained and the late rains supporting forage and browse availability.

• In addition to commercial imports, some 4,100 tonnes of maize were imported in 2011 as food aid, for despite the apparent  state balance, IDPs and deprived and disadvantaged households need aid, which may not necessarily be easily sourced locally from domestic production or imports. Such demands are expected to continue and may increase depending on events.