BENIN SEASONSAL FOOD SECURITY OUTLOOOK

UNCLAS COTONOU 000076 DEPT FOR AF/WA DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USAID FOR FFP AID DAKAR FOR FFP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON PGOV WFP BN NG TO SUBJECT: BENIN SEASONSAL FOOD SECURITY OUTLOOOK ¶1. (U) From February 15 to 20, a joint evaluation team from FEW Net, Benin's National Food Security Agency (ONASA),the World Food Program (WFP),and the Interstates Commission to Fight Against Desertification (CILSS) conducted a comprehensive assessment of the seasonal food security, market and trade situation in Benin. The assessment team does not foresee a food crisis in Benin in the near future. Ibrahim Laouali, Regional Markets Advisor and member of the CILSS delegation, briefed USAID on Thursday, February 19, on the findings of the study. ¶2. (U) According to Laouali, crops production in Benin was generally satisfactory in 2008 because of good rains. Because of the high prices of food crops, many farmers decided to switch from planting cotton to cultivating food crops, which is more lucrative. Despite satisfactory yields, prices of major food crops such as corn, sorghum, rice and yam are still slightly above the normal prices compared to historical averages for this time of the year. The evaluation team agreed that the slightly higher prices do not constitute a red flag. ¶3. (U) The assessment team also found that production could have been much higher if the Government of Benin (GOB) had made inputs, especially fertilizers, more widely available at planting time. The team recommended that the GOB take measures to stabilize prices at their current levels to ensure that food stocks are not quickly depleted by foreign buyers. If prices are too high the local population will not be able to purchase food. If, on the other hand, prices are too low, wholesalers will refrain from selling their stocks for fear of financial losses. BROWN