Monthly Bulletin No. 15 of the Early Warning System

Food availability was generally satisfactory during the month. Farmer stocks, although low in risk areas, continue to supply markets.
In terms of affordability, the trend of stable or even downward cereal prices continues and this trend is expected to continue until June according to the model’s forecasts. However, it should be noted that compared to the average of the last five years, the prices of traditional cereals have undergone increases of 7 to 13%.
Income generated by the sale of market garden products, non-timber forest products, the sale of livestock and gold panning are currently the main means of recourse for households.
This month marks the beginning of the critical phase for feeding livestock, particularly in the Sahel, North, Center-North regions and in the northern part of the East region where cattle mortalities linked to gastroenteritis has been observed.
Livestock prices compared to last year showed upward variations for bulls, but declines for goat and ram. The ongoing appreciation of the naira is favorable for pastoralists as it could boost demand for livestock to Nigeria.
The outlook in terms of market tension is satisfactory due, among other things, to the positive impact of the ongoing sale of cereals at social price and the marketing of farmers ‘and traders’ stocks with regard to forecasts for normal to slightly excess rainfall over the period from May to July.
Nevertheless, it must be recognized that the interventions underway to respond to the feeding difficulties of livestock are far from covering the recommended needs.
The Director General of the Promotion of the Rural Economy (DGPER)
Souleymane OUEDRAOGO