Central African Republic Agriculture Profile 2012

Favourable weather conditions benefited crops.

Planting of the main maize crop was completed in April while planting of cassava, the principal staple in the country, due for harvest in December and January, started in May.

Harvesting of last year’s cereal crop was completed in December. Limited access to agricultural inputs and insecurity throughout the country continues to constrain agricultural production. However, satellite estimates indicate that rainfall has been favourable in most regions with sufficient precipitation, pointing to an expanded 2010 harvest over the previous year,

Inflation is on the increase fuelled by insecurity and high international commodity prices.

Increased food production and lower prices during most of 2010 pushed annual inflation rate down to 1.9 percent from the 3.5 percent the previous year according to the Economist Intelligence Unit. However, inflation picked up during the last quarter of 2010 driven by renewed wave of violence in the north and high international commodity prices, making access to food difficult for large segments of the population.

Persistent insecurity disrupts agricultural production and undermines food security

Civil conflict and insecurity within the Central African Republic (CAR), which has been concentrated in the north-east, still remains a major factor impeding improvements in food insecurity conditions and agriculture production. As of October 2010, the estimated number of internally displaced people (IDPs) in the country was about 192 000. The food security situation has further deteriorated following renewed attacks in the south-east, in Haut-Mbomou and Mbomou, and in the north-east. Furthermore, insecurity in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has led to an increase in the refugees in CAR, putting additional pressure on the already limited resources. Nutrition data illustrates the poor conditions, with a critical malnourishment in the south-west region. A recent study indicates that severe acute malnutrition remains high (above 4 percent in the city and over 7 percent in rural areas) in Berberati, Mambere-Kadei region.

Reference Date: 07-February-2011

Favourable weather conditions benefited crops in 2010

Harvesting of the main cereal crops was completed in December, while the cassava crop, the principal staple in the country, was harvested in December and January. The limited access to agricultural inputs and insecurity throughout the country continues to constrain agricultural production. However, satellite estimates indicate that the overall rainfall during the cropping season was adequate. No official production estimates are available, but cereal output is estimated to have increased compared to previous year’s crop.

Persistent insecurity disrupts agricultural production and undermines food security

Civil conflict and insecurity within the Central African Republic (CAR), which has been concentrated in the north-east, remains a major factor impeding improvements in food insecurity conditions and agriculture production. As of October 2010, the estimated number of internally displaced people (IDPs) in the country was about 192 000. The food security situation has further deteriorated following renewed attacks in the south-east, in Haut-Mbomou and Mbomou, and in the north-east. Furthermore, insecurity in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has led to an increase in the refugees in CAR, putting additional pressure on the already limited resources. Nutrition data illustrates the poor conditions, with a critical malnourished situation in the south-west region. A recent study indicates that severe acute malnutrition remains high (above 4 percent in the city and over 7 percent in rural areas) in Berberati, Mambere-Kadei region.

03/12/2010 

Heavy rains recorded during the main maize harvest

Harvesting of the millet and sorghum crops is underway, while the second season’s maize crop is scheduled to be harvested in December. During the main maize growing period (March-August), substantial rainfall was recorded in March and during the harvesting stage, in July and August, in the major southern maize growing regions; no official production estimates are available. The limited access to agricultural inputs and insecurity throughout the country continues to constrain agricultural production.

Decline in cereal production for 2009/10 season

Harvesting of the cassava crop, the principal staple in the country, was completed in January 2010. Rainfall estimates indicate that several surplus producing regions received average rainfall from April to September, with a spell of below average rainfall in May. Although no official estimates are available, gross cereal production is estimated to be below the five year average for the 2009/10 season.

Persistent insecurity disrupts agricultural production
Civil conflict and insecurity within the Central African Republic (CAR), which has been concentrated in the north-east, remains a major factor impeding improvements in food insecurity conditions and agriculture production. As of June 2010, it is estimated that there are nearly 200 000 internally displaced people (IDPs) in the country. The food security situation has further deteriorated following renewed attacks in the south-east, in Haut-Mbomou and Mbomou, and in the north-east. Furthermore, insecurity in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has led to an increase in the refugees in CAR, increasing the pressure on the already limited resources. Nutrition data illustrates the poor conditions, with a critical malnourished situation in the south-west region. A recent study indicates that severe acute malnutrition remains high (above 4 percent in the city and over 7 percent in rural areas) in Berberati, Mambere-Kadei region.
 

The vast majority of the people reside in rural areas and live by subsistence farming. Only about 3 per cent of the total land area is used for raising crops. The main subsistence crops are millet, sorghum, and cassava. The most important cash crops are cotton, coffee, and rubber. Raising of livestock is hindered by the climate and disease transmitted by the tsetse fly.