Written question asked by John Barrett (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 28 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 7 March 2003. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Friday, 7 March 2003 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the latest projected levels of food production in Malawi. - Includes figure.

Answer: John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the projected levels of food production in Malawi. [100974] Clare Short: The crop estimates issued by the Malawi Ministry of Agriculture at the end of January 2003 suggest a national maize crop of 2.05 million tonnes if the present good rains continue. The harvest will begin in April. Together with additional food from other crops, national self-sufficiency may be achieved this year. Substantial maize stocks in the strategic grain reserve and continuing humanitarian feeding programmes will mitigate localised areas of deficit.

Secondary information