Written question asked by John Barrett (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 13 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 February 2003. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Monday, 24 February 2003 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what evidence has been collated by her Department on the early harvesting of immature maize in Malawi; and what assessment she has made of the effects of late planting of maize in Malawi on food stocks there.

Answer: John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what evidence has been collated by her Department on the early harvesting of immature maize in Malawi; and what assessment she has made of the effects of late planting of maize in Malawi on food stocks there. [98991] Clare Short: Early harvesting of maize for immediate use is a regular component of the coping strategies for poor rural household in Malawi during the annual hungry season, which lasts normally from January to March. Although this may result in reduction in the grain harvest, the impact on national food security is expected to be minimal as present national maize grain stocks are higher than at any similar time during the last five years. Although there has been some localised flooding, the general picture of the 2002-03 rainy season remains good, with the latest maize crop estimate for a harvest of 2.05 million tonnes, about 95 per cent. of national requirements.

Secondary information