A decline in cereal production in several low-income food-deficit countries this year could lead to a tighter food supply situation with 28 countries facing serious food scracity, according to a new United Nations report.
After four successive years of relatively strong growth, cereal production in many LIFDCs is expected to rise by just over 1 per cent in 2007, says the latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation report.
Moreover, if the largest producers -- China and India --are excluded, overall cereal output of rest of the LIFDCs is forecast to decline slightly from last year. Continued high international prices are also exacerbating the problem, the UN food agency noted.
Countries which have experienced severe droughts or irregular rains, are facing reduced crop yields. Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Lesotho have maize -- the main staple crop in these countries -- will drop by 50 per cent on average.
Meanwhile in Morocco, the cereal crop is estimated at just one-quarter of what it was last year.
Several Southern African countries are reporting record or above-average
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